The Awesome Baduy

If you miss the sacred nature,
shades of green as far as the eye can see,
the nature with clear water like a mirror
If you expect millions of stars
as lights in the dark night..
If you miss a peace of mind
If you could hardly believe
there are still friendliness,
sincerity and honesty
in a world which full of falsehood..
Let's come to BADUY
So you will be amazed
because all of them are real

Baduy is one of several traditional communities in Indonesia. This community which also called Kanekes living in the mountainside of Kendeng at Banten Province, West Java. This place is located about 400 km from Jakarta. If we want to reach that place by public transport, we need about 3 hours traveling by train, then continued 2 hours by car and finally we have to do trekking about 3-4 hours to reach their village. We should be in a good health, because we need to climb up and go down the slope as far as the journey, and also cross rivers.

Baduy community divided by two group named "Outer Baduy" (Baduy Luar) and "Inner Baduy" (Baduy Dalam). The two of groups are living in a simple way.. but the Inner Baduy is more strict.

 

The Inner Baduy keep their land (from contamination) by tightly. In their village we couldn't find electrical. They only use an oil lamp and fireplace for cooking. Every electronic equipment are not permitted. No cellphone, radio, television, etc. As they do, we should take a bath at the river or stream near village, at the open river with no border. We can not use soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, or everything which is contain chemical.

All above the natural scene, we will find the simple human there. They don't accept education. They live by farming. They also have a skill in spinning and make many wickerwork. The Baduy community are humble and friendly.

Living just a day in Baduy
will make us aware
the most important in life

is THE LIFE itself

and the duty of us

is keeping our planet

Note:
All photos take at Baduy Luar. Traveler not permitted taking pictures at Baduy Dalam.

Depok, Oktober 2011 

Catatan susulan: 

Dokumentasi pribadi saya ini selanjutnya juga saya gunakan sebagai lampiran kompetisi menulis catatan perjalanan "Traveling Note Competition" yang diadakan oleh DIVA Press September-Desember 2012.