Meeting the Baduy People, Java

The Baduy people live only 167 kilometres from Jakarta. They live in the Kendeng Mountains, follow a traditional way of life and do not embrace any aspects of modern living.  It is, for example, forbidden to use a wheel or travel in a vehicle with a wheel. They do not wear shoes which means, when they come to Jakarta, they walk barefoot.

“I visit Jakarta often,” Herman said, “It is a two-day walk from my village to reach the outskirts of Jakarta.  I was 15 years old when I took my first trip.  I know the way by heart.  My feet are hardy,” he continued, “I have taken the journey over fifty times now. I cross two mountain ranges and then follow the railway tracks all the way to Lebak Bulus. Along the route, I sell my handicrafts and hand-woven clothing. Even though I stay with friends, Jakarta gives me a big headache because there is so much traffic and I have no desire to live there.  However, I do like the city vibe and of course, the beautiful women,” he said with a chuckle.

Herman went on to explain, “I don’t have a handphone, so I just show up at my friends’ house.  I am always treated well. I am happy to sell my hand spun clothing and handicrafts and meet city people.  I return home when all my wares are sold, and then I resume my farming duties in my village”.

I was fascinated with Herman’s feet. The leathery-looking tops of his feet and soles supported wide, almost webbed toes.  This “barefoot policy” for the Baduy people is only one part of the challenges they confront, which includes hard physical labour in the fields (without ploughs that have wheels), and preparing for and attending many rituals and ceremonies.

There are two Baduy villages.  The inner village is known as Baduy Dalem and the outer village is known as Baduy Luar. As a foreigner, you are only allowed to visit the outer village.  The inner village is a closed and private world open only to Indonesians and, if they are not locals, even they have to get permission to enter.

The “inner” Baduy adhere to their age-old beliefs and religion and follow their mystical leaders, the Pu’un, who are not allowed to leave the inner village. Their religious belief is known as Sunda Wiwitan, and they honour a supreme deity.  Old Sundanese language is used in their prayers and rituals.

It’s easy to recognize a Baduy Dalam (who are also known as White Baduy), as they wear white head cloths and they carry a large white cloth bag called a gendongan.

Look out for them in Jakarta.  They tend to walk in single file and sometimes make the front page of The Jakarta Post. Not many people can claim that! If you do chance to see a group of them walking on the roadside, by all means please pull over and say hello.  All their wares can be found neatly stacked in their gendongan.  They would be more than happy to sell you something and lighten their load.

It takes around five hours by car from Jakarta to reach the village and you will need a guide to organise all your food and supplies.  One of the nicest things about staying in the village is the incredible peace you feel there.  There is only nature, including a wide variety of animal and bird life and a slow-moving river and the ancient click-clacking rhythm of the of the local women’s weaving looms.

Story by Stephanie Brookes

Photos by David Metcalf

Stephanie Brookes is a travel writer and blogger with tales from Indonesia and beyond.

www.travelwriter.ws

http://www.facebook.com/stephtravelwriter

www.instagram.com/stephtravelwriter

Author –Indonesia’s Hidden Heritage; Cultural Journeys of Discovery

David Metcalf is a photographer and runs cultural photography tours in Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar and NE India.

www.davidmetcalfphotography.com

www.instagram.com/davidmetcalfphotography

http://www.youtube.com/user/DayakDave

Fact File

Baduy Village, Kendeng Mountains, Banten, West Java

Nearest town – Rangkasbitung, Banten

Guide – Pak Kelik

Email – keliksumarahadi@gmail.com

Tel – +62 812 8179 9768

Trekking Guide – Pak Kelik – arranges transport from Jakarta and porters and food. Accommodation is in a modest and clean homestay in the village.

Tips – Try and avoid high season – May to July