Foreign Tourists Banned From Visiting Indonesia’s Inner Baduy Hamlets
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- Indonesia’s Baduy tribe enforces a ban on foreign tourists visiting Inner Baduy hamlets to safeguard traditions and cultural sites, allowing visits only to Outer Baduy villages with local guides.
- Customary leaders in Kanekes Village issue a strict prohibition against foreign visitors entering sensitive Baduy areas, emphasizing respect for community rules and photography restrictions.
- The local tourism office supports the decision to restrict foreign tourists, promising outreach to ensure global visitors understand and comply with the Baduy’s cultural regulations.
Jakarta, Indonesianpost.com – Foreign tourists have been banned from visiting the Inner Baduy hamlets in Lebak, Banten, following a decision by the local customary institution, aiming to preserve the community’s cultural integrity.
The ban specifically applies to the Inner Baduy villages of Cibeo, Cikawartana, and Cikeusik, as well as the Gajeboh hamlet in the Outer Baduy region, which holds traditional significance and borders the Inner Baduy area where photography is prohibited.
Medi, secretary of Kanekes Village, highlighted that many tourists unknowingly violate Baduy customs, including the strict prohibition on taking photographs of traditional institution houses. In response, Kanekes Village Head Jaro Oom said a circular has been issued after consultations with local elders to enforce the ban on foreign visitors entering these sensitive areas.
Foreign tourists are encouraged to respect and adhere to customary regulations, with visits permitted only to 61 Outer Baduy hamlets such as Kadu Jangkung, Karahkal, Kadu Gede, Belimbing, Cicakal, and Kadu Ketug, and only when accompanied by locally knowledgeable Baduy guides. The use of guides from outside the Baduy community is discouraged to prevent misunderstandings of local customs and prohibitions.
Supporting the decision, Farid Surawan, head of the Creative Economy Division at Lebak Culture and Tourism Service, affirmed the importance of respecting the traditional institution’s ruling and assured that outreach efforts will be made to inform international tourists about these regulations. (Antara/Bilah)