The Sacred Tradition of Baduy Textiles

The Kanekes people – better known as Baduy – live in the Kanekes villages in the mountainous Kedeng region of Banten Province. An ancient Sundanese-speaking people, the Baduy have been living in these villages for centuries, perhaps since the 5^th century. Visitors can only enter their territory, which is marked by 179 points such as rock outcroppings, a river, tree or hill, after obtaining a travel permit at the border town of Ciboleger.Life among the Kanekes is ordered by a traditional philosophy that calls for a life of prayers (recited in old Sundanese in front of burning incense) for the good of humanity, self-sufficiency, and harmony with nature – they therefore reject modern conveniences and all things that do not come from within their own territory. 

Those living in the three urang tangtu (white or Inner Baduy) villages strictly follow the ancient traditions and religious beliefs. They are not allowed to cut their hair or use public transportation, for example, so that when they venture to Jakarta, they walk barefoot for three days. Non-Indonesians cannot enter the Inner Baduy villages...

Read more:  http://nowjakarta.co.id/the-sacred-tradition-of-baduy-textiless
text by Marianne Scholte