Baduy people
Baduy family.
|
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (11,620 (2010 census)) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Indonesia (Lebak Regency, Banten) |
|
| Languages | |
| Sundanese language (Baduy language), Indonesian language | |
| Religion | |
| Sunda Wiwitan (predominantly), Islam, Buddhism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Sundanese, Bantenese |
The Baduy (or Badui), who call themselves Kanekes, are a traditional Sundanese community living in the southeastern part of the Indonesian province of Banten, near Rangkasbitung. They are one of the people group that practices isolation from the outside world and also in addition they believe in a taboo of being photographed especially among the Inner Baduy community.
The Baduy region is geographically located at coordinates 6°27’27” – 6°30’0” south latitude and 108°3’9” – 106°4’55” east longitude. Their population of 11,700 is centered at the foothill of Kendeng mountains at the Kanekes settlement, Leuwidamar district, Lebak Regency, Rangkasbitung, Banten with a distance of 40 km from Rangkasbitung. This region that is part of the Kendeng mountains with an elevation of 300–500 meters (975'-1,625') above sea level; consists of hilly and bumpy topography with sloppy surface that reaches up to an average of 45%, are volcanic soil (in the north), precipitate soil (in the center) and mixed soil (in the south). The average temperature is 20 °C. Their homeland in Banten, Java is contained in just 50 km2 (19 sq mi) of hilly forest area 120 km (75 mi) from Jakarta, Indonesia's capital. The three main settlements of the Kanekes people are Cikeusik, Cikertawana and Cibeo.
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 and a majority are Muslims.
The Baduy are divided into two sub-groups; the Baduy Dalam (Inner Baduy), and the Baduy Luar (Outer Baduy). No foreigners were allowed to meet the Inner Baduy, though the Outer Baduy do foster some limited contacts with the outside world.
The word Baduy is a name given by outsiders to refer to this community of people, beginning from the Dutch East Indies observers that might have thought to equate them with the nomadic community of the Bedouin Arabs. Another possibility of the origin of the word Baduy may come from the term "Bedouin", although other sources claim the source is a name of a local river. However, they themselves would prefer to be referred to as Urang Kanekes or Orang Kanekes (meaning, Kanekes people); which is based on the name of their territory, or a name that refers to the name of their village such as Urang Cibeo (meaning, Cibeo people).
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Wikipedia