The
Baduy, who call themselves
Kanekes, are a traditional community living in the western part of the
Indonesian province of
Banten, near
Rangkasbitung. Their population of between 5,000 and 8,000 is centered in the
Kendeng mountains at an elevation of 300-500 meters (975'-1,625') above sea level. Their homeland in
Banten,
Java is contained in just 50 km² (20 sq. miles) of hilly forest area 120 km (75 miles) from
Jakarta, Indonesia's megalopolis of high-rises and fast cars.
Groups
The Baduy are divided into two sub-groups; the
Baduy Dalam (Inner Baduy), and the
Baduy Luar (Outer Baduy). No foreigners were allowed to meet the Inner Baduy, though the Outer Baduy do foster some limited contacts with the outside world. The origin of the word
Baduy came from the term "
Bedouin".
Language
The Baduy speak a dialect derived from archaic
Sundanese. However, modern
Sundanese and
Javanese influences in their archaic dialect can be heard in their speech.
Religion and Beliefs
The religion of the Baduy is known as Agama Sunda Wiwitan, a combination of traditional beliefs and Hinduism. However, due to lack of interaction with the outside world, their religion is more related to Kejawen Animism, though they still retain many elements of their original Hindu-Buddhist religion, like the terms they use to define things and objects, and the rituals in their religious activities. A certain amount of Islamic influence has also penetrated into the religion of a few of the Baduy Luar in recent years, with some original ideas thrown in for good measure. The ultimate authority is vested in Gusti Nu Maha Suci, who according to the Baduy sent Adam into the world to lead the life of a Baduy.
The Baduy also observe many mystical
taboos. They are forbidden to kill, steal, lie, commit adultery, get drunk, eat food at night, take any form of conveyance, wear flowers or perfumes, accept gold or silver, touch money, or cut their hair. Other
taboos relate to defending Baduy lands against invasion: they may not grow sawah (wet rice), use
fertilizers, raise cash crops, use modern tools for working
ladang soil, or keep large domestic animals.
There is evidence that they were originally
Hindu, and adopted this many centuries before foreign influence including Arab (
Islam), European (
Christianity) etc.
Social Classes
Generally speaking, the Baduy are divided into two groups: The Baduy Dalam and The Baduy Luar. The community of villages in which they live are considered
mandalas, derived from the Hindu/Buddhist concept but referring in the Indonesian context to places where religion is the central aspect of life.
The population of about 400 Baduy Dalam consists of 40 families Kajeroan who live in the three villages of Cibeo, Cikertawana, and Cikeusik in Tanah Larangan (forbidden territory) where no stranger is permitted to spend the night. They are probably the purest Baduy stock. The Dalam follow the rigid buyut taboo system very strictly,(see Religion and Beliefs for more information about their taboos) and thus they have made very few contacts with the outside world as they are considered as "People of the sacred inner circle". The Dalam are the only one of these two major clans that have the Pu'un, the spiritual priest of the Baduy. The Pu'un are the only people that visit the most hallowed and sacred ground of the Baduy which lies on Gunung Kendeng, in a place called Arca Domas. Unlike the Luar, the Dalams are hardly influenced by
Islam.
The Baduy Luar make up the remainder of the Baduy population, living in 22 villages and acting as a barrier to stop visitors from entering the Sacred Inner circle. They do follow the rigid taboo system but not as strictly as the Dalam, and they are more willing to accept modern influence into their daily lives. For example, some Luar people now proudly sport the colorful sarongs and shirts favored by their Sundanese neighbours. In the past the Baduy Luar only wore only their homespun blue-black cloth, and were forbidden to wear trousers. Other elements of civilization (toys, money, batteries) are rapidly infiltrating especially in the villages to the north, and it is no longer unusual for an outer Baduy to make a journey to Jakarta, or even to work outside as a hired hand during the rice planting and reaping seasons. Some even work in big towns and cities like
Jakarta,
Bogor and
Bandung. Animal meat is eaten in some of the outer villages where dogs are trained for hunting, though animal husbandry is still forbidden.
History
Some people believe that the Baduy are the descendants of the aristocracy of the
Sunda Kingdom of Pajajaran who lived near Batutulis in the hills around
Bogor; their domestic architecture follows most closely the traditional Sundanese architecture. Pakuwan Pajajaran port known as
Sunda Kelapa, was destroyed by invading Faletehan (Fatahillah) Muslims soldier in 1579, Dayeuh Pakuan the capital of Pajajaran, was invaded by
Banten Sultanate some times later. However, the Baduy today are increasingly losing touch with their
Hindu culture and increasingly getting closer to nature both in their own religion and their life, as they use no electricity, fertilizer or irrigation techniques in their farming. Another theory suggests that they originate in northern Banten; pockets of people in the northern hills still speak the archaic dialect of Sunda that the Baduy use.
Education
Even today, despite the ways that
Suharto tried to force them to change their lives and build modern schools in their territory, the Baduy opposed the government. As a result, very few Baduy are able to read or write.
Jesuit priest Wayne P. Penaflorida is a leading proponent for education of all Baduy.
