Baduy travel bare foot

Baduy travel a lot. They travel on foot wherever they go. This have been done by Baduy through the millenia, from their past ancestors  until present day. They travel across the villages, up the hill and down to the valley, penetrating their virgin tropical jungle. Occasionaly, Baduy travel to the outer cities surrounding their village territory, such as Lebak, Serang, Pandeglang, Bogor or even to Bandung and the capital city of Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta. Traveling bare foot hundreds kilometers away from their home land is not such a difficult matters for them---something we think impossible and useless in our time of comfortable cars available.

Baduy travels bare foot-- the way of traveling

This fact proves us that they are not such an isolated tribe. They learn about different lifestyle that surround them. They observe others but manage so far not to take elements of outside culture that are against their tradition or forbidden by their master chief Pu'un. Pu'un is their top most leader in Baduy's Social Strata. Pu'un also is a spiritual leader, the Law and the God's vicegerent in the world. They believe in One God as they call Him, Sang Hyang Batara Tunggal.

What do they travel for? They are not traveling for their leisure as some tourist do. Although sometime, their brother from outside village see them like a 'tourist' because their present paints such a strange experience."Deuleu, aya urang Rawayan! Ayah..rek ka mana?" This is local (Banten) Sundanese phrase. In English, it means, "Look, they are Rawayan! Ayah, where are you going?" The Rawayan name is in fact the real name they call themselves. Meanwhile, the name Baduy attributed to them is made by outsider. They simply call themselves as Urang Rawayan or Urang Kanekes, or Urang Cibeo. Kanekes and Cibeo are names of their villages. The word "Ayah", is a very polite salutation to every Baduy man. This word gives us a prove that Baduy is respected among the outsider, despite the fact of their illiteracy and, quote unquote, the perceived backwardness society. The Baduy and the Outsider are exchanging hospitality.

Baduy also travels for merchandise. They made craft, such as handbag, accessories and most well known 'golok.' They made traditional food like, Palm Sugar (the taste's so nice tobe mixed with milk) or Madu Odeng (Royal Honey).These merchandise may be bought from them (They do not sell, we buy(!) or exchange it with bank note.)

The most ceremonial travel, which is conducted on a regular base every year, accompanied by more than thousand Baduy men, is Seba. The Seba tradition rooted deeply back to the history of Pajajaran Kingdom that govern west part of Java thousand years ago. So, every year the Baduy come to the King to present their 'Upeti' for the ruler of the land.