The Baduy travel bare foot

The Baduy travel a lot. They travel on foot wherever they go. They have been doing this for centuries, from their past ancestors until present day. They travel across the villages, up to the hill and down to the valley, penetrating their virgin tropical jungle. Occasionally, The Baduy travel to the outer cities surrounding their village territory, such as Lebak, Serang, Pandeglang, Bogor or even to Bandung and the capital city of Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta. Traveling bare foot hundred kilometers away from their homeland is not such a difficult matter for them---something we think impossible and useless in our time of comfortable cars available.

This fact proves us that they are not such an isolated tribe. They learn about different lifestyle surrounding them. They observe other but manage so far not to take elements of outside culture that are against their tradition or forbidden by their master chief Pu'un. Pu'un is their top most leader in the Baduy's Social Structure. Pu'un also is a spiritual leader, the Law and the God's vicegerent in the world. They believe in One God as they call Him, Sang Hyang Batara Tunggal or even Adam Tunggal.

What do they travel for?

They are not traveling for their leisure as some tourists do. Although sometime, their brother from outside village see them like a 'tourist' because their present paints such a strange picture.

"Deuleu, aya urang Baduy! Ayah..rek ka mana?" This is local (Banten) Sundanese phrase. In English, it means, "Look, they are Baduy! Ayah, where are you going?" The Baduy name is in fact the real name they call themselves. Meanwhile, the name other than Baduy attributed to them is made by outsider, or they simply call themselves as Urang Tangtu or Urang Gazeboh, or Urang Cibeo. Kanekes and Cibeo are names of their villages. The word "Ayah", is a very polite salutation to every Baduy man. This word gives us a prove that the Baduy are respected by the outsider, despite the fact of their illiteracy and, quote unquote, the perceived backwardness society.

The Baduy also travel for merchandise. They made crafts, such as handbag, accessories and most well known 'golok' (Machete.) They made traditional food like, Palm Sugar (the taste's so nice to be mixed with milk) or Madu Odeng (Royal Honey).These merchandise may be bought from them (They do not sell, we buy(!) or exchange it with bank note.)

The most ceremonial travel, which is conducted on a regular base every year, accompanied by more than thousand Baduy men, is Seba. The Seba tradition rooted deeply back to the history of Pajajaran Kingdom that govern west part of Java thousand years ago. So, every year the Baduy come to the King to present their 'Upeti' for the ruler of the land.

The mystery of "Arca Domas" will still remain as a mystery veiled with Myths of Baduy and the thick jungles of Kendeng. No "stranger" will be allowed to enter the sanctuary. Only selected Indonesian permitted by Pu'un, the Baduy top leader, may visit the sacred place. When you are visiting the Baduy Village, do not hope to reach this veiled palace.

Baduy Village, being situated more than 800 meters above the sea level, surrounded by its mountainous landscape, is the land of misty. The morning mist of which will always cover the whole village every early hour day. Beyond its misty land, deep rooted in every individual Baduy people, implanted by their historical culture, the codes of mystical knowledge reside. The genetic codes that will only be shared among them. The "Tangtu Telu" which is known to outsider as "Baduy Dalam" or "Inner Baduy," comprises of three villages of Cikeusik, CIkertawana and Cibeo, are villages of purity. The purest people of the Baduy. Within these three villages the three leaders of Baduy, Pu'un, spend their whole life from birth to death. The Pu'un will never trespass the villages boundaries.

Every individual of the Baduy is the embodiment of these unveiled mystical codes. They are  responsible to take care "the Nation," which is now referring to the Republic of Indonesia and the whole world globally. The sacred duties call them to "ngabaratapakeun" and "ngabaratanghikeun" wiwitan.

"Kami lain embung hirup kawas jalma lain. Kusabab kudu aya nu neguhkeun, matuhkeun wiwitan tea, kami kudu sanggup ngabaratapakeun-ngabaratanghikeun titipan ti Adam Tunggal"

(Suhada, Masyarakat Baduy Dalam Rentang Sejarah, 2007)

As strange as its people and culture are, Baduy Village offers a unique adventure opportunities for you who enjoy the outdoors. Explore the virgin rainforest, alpine terrain, terraced hamlets and some more scenic considerations. Adventure the humble, simple and innocently smiling people who resist unshiveringly your modern lifestyle for centuries. Experience the abundant wildlife and cultural opportunities.

Though the villages are almost hidden from the outside world and their taboos prevent the villagers from modernity, the Baduy are  sociable and engaging. They will always welcome you heartedly. It's easy to put together a unique experience that will satisfy the adventuring hopes of just about any traveler.

Learn the wisdom

Baduy village provide far richer experience than simple adventures, for its people forces travelers to open their eyes and become immersed in the silent, unspoken merits and wisdoms handed down from generation to generation, only to prove that the Baduy are steward and guardian of our 'holy' forest on Earth. Here is the land where no room for hatred, no room for fusing and fighting. It is the land where a solitude peace awaits you.

Most visitors immediately learn that the Baduy are one of the friendliest and most naturally curious people of the world. They quickly find the Baduy welcoming and eager to share their homes and traditions --- despite rumors of their backwardness, illiteracy and rejection to modern lifestyles. You would never guess it --- not from the graciousness and openness of those in the villages, nor by the brightness of the eyes and minds of the Baduy children who are long for their education. Trekking the village pathways a few hours, you might produce a dozen invitations to stay in the homes of the Baduy and at the end of the line, you can make an instant friends.

In essence, the advantage to visiting this 'weird' people and villages is that it opens as wide as variety of opportunity as you have the energy and time to enjoy. This is the fascination of the other side of Indonesia.

A bit of preparation

When traveling through Baduy Village, keep it mind this is a unique village in Indonesia, a village of old taboos, in which you have no choices but to obey and respect their sacred taboos, to interact with the people and their ways of life. Expect stares and questions, and be open to them, unprepared visitors can often turn callous and term these characteristics annoying, or even aggressive.

Whether you are traveling on your own or arranging travels for others—the Earth is your homeland. Give it the care and respect it deserves; learn about its environment and geography; spend time getting to know its people and their art, culture, history, and livelihoods. While you derive pleasure, knowledge, and understanding from your encounters, hold close the importance of preserving these treasures for those who may follow in your footsteps.

As strange as its people and culture are, Baduy Village offers a unique adventure opportunities for you who enjoy the outdoors. Explore the virgin rainforest, alpine terrain, terraced hamlets and some more scenic considerations. Adventure the humble, simple and innocently smiling people who resist unshiveringly your modern lifestyle for centuries. Experience the abundant wildlife and cultural opportunities.

Though the villages are almost hidden from the outside world and their taboos prevent the villagers from modernity, the Baduy are  sociable and engaging. They will always welcome you heartedly. It's easy to put together a unique experience that will satisfy the adventuring hopes of just about any traveler.

Learn the wisdom

Baduy village provide far richer experience than simple adventures, for its people forces travelers to open their eyes and become immersed in the silent, unspoken merits and wisdoms handed down from generation to generation, only to prove that the Baduy are steward and guardian of our 'holy' forest on Earth. Here is the land where no room for hatred, no room for fusing and fighting. It is the land where a solitude peace awaits you.

Most visitors immediately learn that the Baduy are one of the friendliest and most naturally curious people of the world. They quickly find the Baduy welcoming and eager to share their homes and traditions --- despite rumors of their backwardness, illiteracy and rejection to modern lifestyles. You would never guess it --- not from the graciousness and openness of those in the villages, nor by the brightness of the eyes and minds of the Baduy children who are long for their education. Trekking the village pathways a few hours, you might produce a dozen invitations to stay in the homes of the Baduy and at the end of the line, you can make an instant friend.

In essence, the advantage to visiting this 'weird' people and villages is that it opens as wide as variety of opportunity as you have the energy and time to enjoy. This is the fascination of the other side of Indonesia.

A bit of preparation

When traveling through Baduy Village, keep it mind this is a unique village in Indonesia, a village of old taboos, in which you have no choices but to obey and respect their sacred taboos, to interact with the people and their ways of life. Expect stares and questions, and be open to them, unprepared visitors can often turn callous and term these characteristics annoying, or even aggressive.

Whether you are traveling on your own or arranging travels for others—the Earth is your homeland. Give it the care and respect it deserves; learn about its environment and geography; spend time getting to know its people and their art, culture, history, and livelihoods. While you derive pleasure, knowledge, and understanding from your encounters, hold close the importance of preserving these treasures for those who may follow in your footsteps.