Exhibition gives peak into life of the Baduy

By Stevie Emilia

JAKARTA (JP): For most people, the lifestyle of the reclusive Baduy people living in the highlands of Lebak regency, West Java, remain a mystery.

Their decision to close themselves off from modernization has always raised both curiosity and controversy, particularly since they live only a few hours away from the bustling streets of Jakarta.

For those interested in learning more about the culture of this community without having to visit the area, an art and cultural exhibition of the Baduy people of Kanekes village is being held by the Japan Foundation and the Sekapur Sirih Foundation in the Sumitmas building on Jl. Jend. Sudirman, South Jakarta, through Sept. 10.

Sekapur Sirih Foundation chairwoman Sasmiyarsi Sasmoyo said the exhibition was an initial step in introducing the art, culture and lifestyle of the Baduy people to the outside world.

"The exhibition is also intended to eliminate various misperceptions about the Baduy people. Some people think they are experts in martial arts or black magic, which is not true."

She said the Baduy people lived a modest life and only wished to continue to live according to their own rules and culture.

The Baduy's modest lifestyle is strongly reflected through the exhibits on display.

A miniature of a traditional Baduy dwelling shows a simple home with woven bamboo walls and a sago palm leaf roof.

A typical home, illustrated by the model, is divided into five sections: sasoro (verandah), tepas (guest room), musung (storeroom), parako (storage space above the fireplace) and imah (main area which also functions as a bedroom).

The structure is built without nails and is not painted.

"Not all Baduy people can afford to have all five sections in their house, but almost all of us have a leuit (rice barn)," explained Kasinah, an Outer Baduy man.

Baduy household wares are displayed near the house model.

Unlike most Indonesians who mostly use stainless steel utensils and plastic or porcelain dishes, the Baduy people use items mostly made of bamboo or wood.

On display are kelek (water pots), jahas besar (large wooden plates), somong (bamboo glasses), dulang and kaluwung (types of cooking utensils), baris (small rice bowl), keukep (rice steamer cover) and seeng (rice steamer).

Some of the Baduy people are present at the exhibition to answer questions, while others are selling traditional clothes and other handicrafts.

Baduy clothes are white, black or shades of blue, depending on gender and community.

Inner Baduy men wear a white headdress, kampret (white shirt) and black sarong with a vertical white-striped motif, while Outer Baduy men mostly don a bluish batik headdress, a black, buttonless vest with no pockets and short pants.

Women's dress is also based on which community they come from. Inner Baduy women wear a white shirt, a black sarong and a black kemben (bodice), while Outer Baduy women wear sarong and shirts with a more variety of colors, though still limited to white, black and blues.

Handicrafts at the exhibition include a traditional carrying bag called koja or jarog, made of teureup (tree bark)and kepek (luggage) made from the stems of sarai flowers and the trunk of sugar palms.

Several Baduy musicians were on hand at the opening of the exhibition on Tuesday evening to play traditional instruments, such as angklung (bamboo instruments), kecapi (stringed instruments) and flutes.

Their soft but melodious music was a highlight of the evening and reflected the peaceful life of the Baduy in their highland communities.

Black and white pictures also provide a glimpse at Baduy daily activities, which may seem relatively simple to people from the outside world.

The snapshots include John Suryaatmadja's To The Other Side, which show men and women about to cross a bamboo bridge while carrying sacks of palm sugar and children on their backs. Through the Alley and Easy Living, by the same photographer, give viewers the opportunity to take a closer look at the Baduy people and their villages.

Dana Irfan's photographs offer more of a chance to learn about daily Baduy routines through Daily Life I, Daily Life II and Collecting Firewood, which pictures a woman climbing a tree to find firewood. Mystical View of Baduy shows some of the natural environment surrounding the communities.

The Baduy's determination to preserve their environment comes from their ancestors passed down through the Pikukuh Orang Baduy (Baduy people's rules), which guide the Baduy people in their activities -- including how they view other people.

"Mountains can't be destroyed, hills can't be ruined, prohibitions can't be violated, taboos can't be changed," one of the pikukuh says.