Andra Soni to Assist Baduy Tribe in Conducting Rituals to Preserve Nature in Ujung Kulon

Banten Governor Andra Soni received a visit from the Baduy community during the Seba Baduy event at the Banten Provincial State Building. During the event, Andra stated that he would assist the Baduy people in organising rituals for environmental preservation in Sanghyang Sirah and Gunung Honje in the Ujung Kulon area, Pandeglang, Banten.

Banten Governor Andra Soni received the Baduy community during the Seba tradition on Saturday (25/4/2026) at the Banten Provincial State Building. In the Seba tradition, the Baduy community visits the Banten Governor, who is the “Bapak Gede” in Serang City, while bringing agricultural produce from the Kanekes community in Lebak Regency.

In the afternoon, Andra carried out the Muka Panto tradition or opening the door of the State Building. Then, in the evening, the tradition of listening to the message from the Baduy community was held.

Governor Andra Soni appreciated the message conveyed by the Baduy community through the Jaro Pamarentah and community Jaro, particularly regarding environmental issues in Kanekes Village.

“The message conveyed earlier was about environmental problems in the Kanekes area. The mandate they hold from generation to generation is ‘gunung ulah dilebur, lebak ulah dirusak’ (do not destroy the mountains, do not damage the valleys),” said Andra Soni.

He emphasised that the Banten Provincial Government would continue to build communication with the Baduy indigenous community, not only through the Seba momentum but also through ongoing coordination.

“Insya Allah, we will continue to build communication. Through the Jaro Pamarentah, they always convey things that need to be reported. We thank the Kanekes indigenous community for their loyalty to the government and for continuously providing input, one of which is in preserving nature,” he said.

Furthermore, Andra Soni stated that the Banten Provincial Government would follow up on the aspirations of the Baduy community, including plans for environmental preservation rituals in the Sanghyang Sirah and Gunung Honje areas.

“Through the Environmental Agency, we will coordinate with Lebak and Pandeglang Regencies regarding what was conveyed, including their hope to carry out rituals in Sanghyang Sirah and Gunung Honje through the Ngaraksa Gunung Ngarawat Alam activities. Hopefully, we can facilitate it,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Head of Kanekes Village as well as Jaro Pamarentah, Jaro Oom, stated that the Seba Baduy is part of the post-harvest adat series and the Ngalaksa procession. He explained that the Baduy community’s visit to face the “Bapak Gede” aims to convey a message to maintain harmony between humans and nature in various areas.

“We reaffirm our commitment to continue ngeraksa and carry out adat rules. We carry out sacred rituals to save mountains, rivers, and forests. We ngaraksa gunung ngarawat alam,” he asserted.

Jaro Oom also conveyed plans to carry out environmental care rituals at several points outside the Baduy ulayat territory, such as Sanghyang Sirah and Gunung Honje, which will be carried out routinely as a form of commitment to maintaining environmental balance.