Baduy Cultural Conservation
The Baduy community in Banten is an utterly unique
and closed society, which can be reached via a 10 km village road
from either Cibolegar or Cibungur village in Leuwidamar district.
The 50 km road from Rangkasbitung is steep. In April and May, the
Baduy community is closed to outsiders, as during this time it commemorates
certain ceremonies, called Seba, the offering of part of their agricultural
products to the Head of the District, Sub-Regent and the Chief Resident.
During this ceremony the "Puun of Baduy" sends out a group
of representatives of Baduy Dalam people as well as Baduy Luar to
act as the community's spokesmen. When conducting this Seba ceremony
the Baduy Dalam members refuse to ride any vehicle, instead, the
distance of150 km is traveled on foot as proof of their perseverance.
To enter this very special Baduy area, one should obtain written
permission from the Rangkasbitung District Office stating the purpose
of the visit, which may take one whole week to process.
The Badui
The Badui is a tribe of between 2,000 and 4,000 Sundanese
speaking people living in 27 villages in the mountains south of
Rangkasbitung. These people still have their own culture. They fight
against attempts of the government to make them part of the modern
world. Recently they won a struggle against western schools in their
area. The culture is very impressive although it is not easy to
learn something about this area and their people. There are three
villages in the center of the area (Cibeo, Cikartawana and Cikeusik),
which cannot be visited. Here live about 40 families of the purest
Badui stock. The culture here is almost unharmed yet. The 24 villages
in the outer circle are each connected to one of the inner three
from which they are ruled. Three of these outer villages can be
visited (Leuwidamar, Lebak and Kadukatug). Only visit this area
if we are fit and used to adjust to local life forms. Bring food
and gifts for the local people and enough money. It is advisable
not to go with a group of more then eight people and to behave our
self. Only then the people will accept us as a visitor. To enter
the area we must first obtain a permit at the tourist office of
Rangkasbitung at Pahlawan Street 13. From Rangkasbitung we have
to find transport to the entry point of the Badui area at Cibolger.
In Leuwidamar, we can stay the night at the police chief (kepala
polisi). Give him a donation for the food and drinks. We can ask
him also if he knows a guide who can bring us to some other villages. |
