Back to Basic in Baduy

The Baduy (or Badui)  are a traditional community living in the western part of the Indonesian province of Banten, near Rangkasbitung.

The Baduy territory is divided into Baduy Dalam and Baduy Luar, or inner and outer districts.

The Inner Baduy comprises of the Kanekes who choose to live in more puritan way.

No foreigners were allowed to meet the Inner Baduy, though the Outer Baduy do foster some limited contacts with the outside world.

Ethnically the Baduys belong to the Sundanese ethnic group. Their racial, physical and linguistic traits bear much resemblance to the rest of the Sundanese people; however, the difference is in their way of life.

Baduy people resist foreign influences and vigorously preserve their ancient way of life, while modern Sundanese are more open to foreign influences.

Visitors wishing to enter Inner Baduy have to travel through several villages, including Cijengkol in Outer Baduy.

The Baduy people, according to Sarmin, embrace the faith of Sunda Wiwitan.

Baduy's custom and heritage chief, who is also the head of the indigenous religion, is called pu'un. There are three chiefs in Baduy Dalam.