The Baduy Villages must not be as an 'object' of tourism.

What is it in a name?

When a sociologist arises a new term to replace another, there must be some reasons behind it.  I would like to discuss the term of 'Saba Budaya' raised by Suhada S.sos (Bantener Sociologist, writer of the book on Baduy, "Masyarakat Baduy dalam Rentang Sejarah"). He proposed that it is better to designate 'Saba Budaya' as a terminology that refer to the activities of visiting the Baduy Villages. He pointed out that the Land of Kanekes, the Baduy Villages are not object of tourism, cannot be 'objected' as a place of tourist destination. Why?

I have not yet explored the reasons behind Suhada's objection why Baduy Villages must not be as an object of tourism or as a place of tourist destination. Instead, I am trying to make my subjective interpretation upon the worries of our sociologist. Tourism activities bring people from different cultural background on interactions. People meet each other, make a communication and exchange their behaviors. If these activities are getting prolonged, there are always 'cultural interfering' in both sides, the results of which can be 'mutual advantageous' or 'culrual-dangerous' in the sense of ethical, economical and environmental. Take a look at the Bali case, besides its economical boost from tourism, Bali has now become the second province after Papua where HIV disease rate is considered high 5,3 of National rate (Source OkeZone).

The experience so far, as told on one of Suhada's Blog, the rising visitor to the Baduy Villages over the years have shown the changes among the young of Baduy. Imitating the visitor from Jakarta, the young Baduy now say 'Gue mau boker dulu' instead of Sundanese. This is a slang phrase from Jakartan to tell somebody that I am  going to the toilet. Moreover, everywhere here and there in the villages plastics, aluminum cans and other garbage can be found left carelessly by the visitors.

Another aspect I learn from Suhada's point of view is that tourism must be managed well and participatory to the benefit of the Baduy people and other stakeholders. The local government policy management on Baduy Tourism must not only listen to people of the Baduy aspirations, but also involve the Baduy people in the strategic policy. They are not just 'living-museum' that you can treat as you wish.

Designating the Baduy Villages as a 'tourism object' has a disadvantageous philosophical background that result the action to inhumanate the Baduy people, as if they were Rhinos. So, I am fully agreeable with our sociologist that it is better to designate 'Saba Budaya' to refer to the tourism activities in the Baduy Villages.

I will explore more on this 'Saba Budaya' term  in the other opportunity. Meanwhile, I'm just recollecting my memory to what Shakespeare says in the Hamlet, What is it in a name?