The Journalists and a Baduy Leader

The People of Kanekes and Media

Baduy are newsmakers. It's because they are so unique. They are Indonesian but they do not speak Bahasa. Their fashion-style garment are also mark a different notion among Indonesians. Relatively to Bantener, they are also distinct. The way the community retreat and secluded into the deep jungle raise a big question. The Indonesian of marriage Law do not apply to them because they don't belong to any religion that are accepted in Indonesia, but they belief in Sunda Wiwitan teaching. They are just villager as many other Indonesian villager but the government give them such privileges to their territory and making the area of more than 5,000 acre as a protected zone by Law. No other Indonesian citizen are allowed by Law to cultivate the land of Baduy except Baduy.

If Baduy visit a city and are found by a journalist, then this will be the news. The journalist will interview them and, take pictures as if they were celebrities. On Seba ceremony which is held every June, Baduy visit the capital city of Banten, Serang. Not only visit the city, their aim is to meet the "Queen" that is now only a Governor of Banten Province, to present their sacred duty, a symbol of their obedience to the Ruler. Baduy people, not less than two thousand men flock in the office of Governor. Something strange because they could send their envoy of limited person instead.

It's a growing tendency that the media targeting their eyes on Baduy, The People of Kanekes.