Exploring The Baduy: A Sacred Journey Through Nature and Culture

TheIndonesia.co - Over the long Ascension Day weekend in 2025, travellers from Banten, West Java, and Jakarta flocked to the remote and culturally rich Baduy settlement in Lebak Regency, Banten Province. Drawn by the opportunity to engage in saba budaya—a cultural walk through Baduy territory—many visitors embraced the rugged terrain and peaceful lifestyle of this indigenous community as a refreshing break from urban routines.

On Thursday, May 25th, the Kanekes Village Secretary, Medi, according to Antara News Agency, reported that approximately 1,200 people had visited the area to participate in saba budaya. While the number for the following day had not yet been recorded, foot traffic throughout the long weekend was heavy, underscoring a growing interest in indigenous tourism and cultural immersion.

Visitors typically began their journey at Kampung Kadu Ketug Ciboleger, where the road into Baduy territory begins. From there, many trekked 2.5 kilometers to the Gajeboh Bridge, a remarkable hand-built structure suspended over the Ciujung River. Made entirely from woven sugar palm fibers and wood, the 10-meter-long bridge stands firm, even under the weight of dozens of people crossing at once—a feat of traditional engineering that astonishes even seasoned trekkers.

Some more adventurous travellers continued deeper into the heart of Baduy Dalam—the Inner Baduy territory—walking more than 30 kilometers over five hours through dense forest, steep hills, and sacred land. These walks are both physically demanding and spiritually profound, providing a glimpse into a way of life that is deeply connected to nature, tradition, and communal values.

However, visitors are reminded that this is not a theme park or open-air museum. The Baduy people request—and expect—respect. Littering, tree cutting, and bathing or swimming in the Ciujung River are strictly forbidden. "We hope visitors follow the rules and do not discard trash or damage the forest," said Medi. For the Baduy, the forest is sacred. It is not just a resource, but a legacy, protected by spiritual duty handed down from their ancestors. Deforestation or mining is considered a betrayal of these sacred laws.

The Baduy settlement consists of roughly 16,500 people spread across 68 villages, divided into two main groups: the Baduy Luar (Outer Baduy) and the Baduy Dalam (Inner Baduy). The Outer Baduy serve as the interface between the modern world and their more secluded kin. They are allowed limited interaction with outsiders, use basic tools, and may wear modified traditional clothing. The Inner Baduy, on the other hand, live in almost complete isolation from modernity—rejecting electricity, vehicles, mobile phones, even footwear. They wear only white or indigo-dyed garments, symbolizing purity and adherence to tradition.

Nestled in the foothills of Mount Kendeng, the Baduy territory spans rugged, mountainous terrain covered in thick forests. The community's commitment to ecological conservation is not a political statement—it is a spiritual obligation. They live without exploiting the land, using age-old agricultural techniques that do not degrade the soil or require chemicals. Water comes from mountain springs, food from terraced fields, and light from the sun and fire. Their architecture reflects this ethos: wooden stilt houses with thatched roofs, built without nails or cement, relying solely on bamboo, wood, and local grasses.

For travellers, the journey into Baduy territory offers far more than scenic views. It is a walk into a world governed by values rarely seen in modern life: simplicity, silence, restraint, and profound respect for the Earth. It’s also a place of learning—about resilience, about spiritual discipline, and about community. While the trip may be physically exhausting, it is also deeply restorative. “We came here not only to get exercise but also to meet the Baduy people and learn about their way of life,” said Sudarmono, a visitor from Tangerang who trekked with his family to Gajeboh.

Tourism in the Baduy region is not commercialized in the traditional sense. There are no hotels, resorts, or souvenir shops. Instead, homestays in Outer Baduy villages allow visitors to sleep on bamboo mats, share traditional meals, and witness daily life—fetching water from the river, weaving cloth, or simply sitting in quiet contemplation. The experience demands humility and offers authenticity in return.

However, authorities and local leaders emphasize the importance of responsible tourism. The increase in visitor numbers brings both opportunity and risk. Economic benefits are welcomed, but not at the expense of cultural erosion or environmental harm. Efforts are ongoing to educate tourists about appropriate behavior, and guides from the Outer Baduy often accompany groups to help bridge the gap between worlds.

As Indonesia continues to promote sustainable and culturally respectful tourism, places like the Baduy settlement serve as both a model and a challenge. A model because they preserve and protect what makes them unique. A challenge because their values—rooted in restraint, harmony, and simplicity—require modern visitors to unlearn habits of excess and control.

The Baduy remind us that travel is not only about seeing new places but about seeing with new eyes. In their forest paths, quiet homes, and patient lives, they offer a rare gift: the invitation to slow down, to listen, and to reconnect with the Earth—and perhaps even with ourselves.