THE BADUY AND THEIR LOVE FOR THE NATURE

by Rizka Aulia Maghfira (Indonesia)

I didn't expect to find Indonesia

This trip happened a long time ago. At that time, Guntur, Alya and I planned to close the end of 2018 away from Jakarta, one of the busiest capital cities in Indonesia. Baduy became our choice. The Baduy are an ethnic group of indigenous people living in Lebak, Banten. We decided to use a travel agent so that our trip would be easier. We left on Saturday morning. We gathered at Tanah Abang Station, the departure station to Rangkasbitung Station which was the closest station to Baduy village. Baduy tribe is divided into two, Baduy Luar and Baduy Dalam. We started to walk to Baduy Dalam Village from the last stop of the entrance of Baduy Luar Village. Baduy Dalam isolates themselves from the outside world, not familiar with the technology, money, and schools. Baduy Dalam only uses white and black clothes. They do not use footwear too. Baduy Dalam prohibiting the use of soap so the water stays clear and the environment becomes clean. Baduy Dalam lives in the middle of the forest, surrounded by Baduy Luar villages. Baduy Luar is more familiar with the technology, dressed in black or dark blue clothes and wear footwear. At 1 p.m we arrived at the last stop. Some Baduy Dalam resident who became our tour guide was already waiting for us. We started to go to the Baduy Luar village first. The uphill road welcomed us from the beginning of this trip. On the left and right side, local people could be seen weaving cloth, selling pure honey and typical Baduy accessories on the veranda of their house. I was tired even though it was still the first half hour. The carrier that I brought made me tired quickly. A boy from Baduy Dalam who was part of our group offered some help. I refused. After a few minutes, I decided I couldn’t walk while carrying my carrier. Guntur offered to help and I agreed. His big body was able to carry my bag and Alya’s bag, all at once. This trip was really hard. We walked uphill and downhill. Sometimes muddy, sometimes rocky. I endlessly drank so I wouldn’t go limp. I saw the residents of Baduy Dalam who accompanied us and they did not look tired at all. Walking barefoot, they casually walked in the middle of the forest, on a hill, in the mud. Even though I was tired, the scenery during the trip surprised me. A large bamboo bridge was a sign that we would enter the Baduy Dalam area. All electronic devices must be switched off. The road was getting steeper. At the top of the hill, several large bamboos with few holes in it produced a beautiful sound when the wind blew. Imagining this. Sunset and the sounds of nature. Beautiful. Along the way, several residents were harvesting Durian that we could buy with a very cheap price. We walked for 5 hours. We arrived at 6 p.m and it was getting dark. When we got to the house of the local resident, we were treated to palm sugar brewed with hot water. We drank it using glass made from bamboo. The drink immediately restored our energy. The house of Baduy Dalam was very simple. Part of the house only consisted of a kitchen and a gathering room which was also used for sleeping. Our group was welcome to rest and cleanse our body at the river because they didn’t have a bathroom. I asked Alya to accompany me to the river. We used flashlight because it was too dark. There were several female residents who had just finished washing the dishes. They used rubbing ash and bamboo leaves to wash the dishes. They showered without soap. Brushing their teeth with their fingers. The Baduy was very simple. So was our dinner. Having dinner with rice, salted fish and orek tempe. The night was closed with warm talk about Baduy. Soon, we fell asleep because we were so tired. The silence of the village in the middle of the forest really calmed my heart and mind. The Baduy and their simplicity have preserved nature well. The Baduy really love their nature.