Untouchable Land – Baduy

Baduy Cultural Conservation

The Baduy community in Banten is an utterly distinctive and closed society, which can be reached by a ten 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 in the work of this time it commemorates sure ceremonies, called Seba, the offering of part of their agricultural products to the Head of the District, Sub-Regent and the Chief Resident. In the work of 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, in lieu, the distance of150 km is travelled on foot as proof of their perseverance. To enter this special Baduy area, ought to receive written permission from the Rangkasbitung District Office stating the purpose of the visit, which may take 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 impressive although it is not simple to learn something about this area and their people. There’s villages in the midst 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  unhurt yet. The 24 villages in the outer circle are each connected to of the inner from which they are ruled. of these outer villages can be visited (Leuwidamar, Lebak and Kadukatug). Only visit this area if they are fit and used to fine-tune to local life forms. Bring food and gifts for the local people and 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 they must first receive a permit at the tourist office of Rangkasbitung at Pahlawan Street 13. From Rangkasbitung they must find transport to the entry point of the Badui area at Cibolger. In Leuwidamar, they can stay the night at the police chief (kepala polisi). Give him a donation for the food and drinks. They can ask him also if they knows a guide who can bring us to some other villages.