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Indonesia's Baduy People Ask to be Taken Off Tourist Circuit

July 7, 2020, 07.15 PM

LEBAK, KOMPAS.com – For people going off the beaten path in the Indonesian province of Banten, the traditional Baduy or Kanekes people and their age-old culture might be high on their itineraries.

But soon the Baduy may have to be stricken off tourism itineraries. 

The group’s Traditional Council sent a letter to President Joko Widodo and other officials requesting that their lands be taken off the province’s tourist circuit.

The Baduy designated a number of trusted outsiders, among them Gadjah Mada University sociologist Heru Nugroho, to deliver their letter dated July 6, 2020 to the government.

“The Baduy considered taking this step last April when their lands were closed to the public because of Covid-19,” said Heru, who earned the Baduy’s trust through his years researching them.

Also read: Stranded and at Home: British Family Spends Four Months in Bali as Covid-19 Rages

“[Inner Baduy village headman] Jaro Alim and his fellow headmen, among them Jaro Aja and Jaro Madali, consulted me over the matter," Heru said on Tuesday, July 7. "It was then that we agreed that the Baduy lands should be taken off the list of tourist sights.”

Fallout from tourism

Heru added that the letter was prompted by the grievances of the Inner Baduy, or more traditional faction of the group, against the excesses of tourism.

“The Inner Baduy has been particularly offended by the effects of large number of tourists on their land, especially those who do nothing but gawk at them.” 

Also read: Bali Ready to Welcome Indonesian Tourists on July 31

“These included garbage and uploading photos taken on Inner Baduy territory, which they consider to be sacred. Visitors are not allowed to take pictures here, much less upload it on the internet,” he added.

Baduy elders and outsiders confer on a letter addressed to President Joko Widodo. The letter stated the Baduys intent that their lands be declared off limits to visitorsIstimewa Baduy elders and outsiders confer on a letter addressed to President Joko Widodo. The letter stated the Baduys intent that their lands be declared off limits to visitors

Ignorance about the Badui’s wishes

The Badui Traditional Council has taken some officials by surprise, not least those at the local level.

“I only heard [about the letter] on the media on Monday, July 6,” said Kanekes village chief Jaro Saija.

“I was unaware about the meeting, as I was never told about it. I will get clarification from the [other Jaros].”

Saija confirmed that the Baduy’s territory remain closed to visitors because of Covid-19. But he assured that the closure will be temporary.

The Baduy is one of Indonesia’s best known uncontacted people due to their near complete isolation from the outside world, though they live 120 kilometers from Jakarta.

They are distinguished by their adherence to the Sunda Wiwitan traditional belief systems and a set of taboos, such as taboos on using electric appliances or modern vehicles. 

(Writer: Acep Nazmudin | Editor : Abba Gabrillin)

Sources: 

https://regional.kompas.com/read/2020/07/07/13062971/duduk-perkara-lembaga-adat-baduy-minta-dihapus-dari-destinasi-wisata?page=all#page2

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