Baduy

Who are the Baduy?

The Baduy are an indigenous Sundanese group who live in the Kanekes area of Lebak Regency, Banten, Indonesia. They are divided into Inner Baduy (Baduy Dalam), who strictly follow ancestral customs and avoid outside contact, and Outer Baduy (Baduy Luar), who have some interaction with outsiders. The Baduy see themselves as guardians of tradition and the environment, maintaining a way of life rooted in their own beliefs and oral history. Their identity is closely tied to their land, language, and customs, which they preserve through strict rules and community cohesion.

Where do the Baduy live?

The Baduy homeland covers about 50 square kilometers of hilly, forested land in the foothills of Kendeng volcano, around the Ci Ujung and Cikanekes rivers in Lebak Regency, Banten. The area is divided into Inner and Outer Baduy sectors, with the Inner Baduy living in a protected region of three main villages. The land is a mix of volcanic and sedimentary soils, with high rainfall and lush forests. The Baduy region is managed through traditional land use, including settlements, rice storage, gardens, and protected forests.

What language do the Baduy speak?

The Baduy speak their own language, closely related to Sundanese and sometimes seen as a dialect of it. Most Inner Baduy are monolingual, while Outer Baduy and those in contact with outsiders also speak Sundanese and Indonesian. The Baduy language is mainly oral, as formal education and literacy are discouraged to preserve tradition. Oral storytelling and ritual speech are important for passing down knowledge.

How do the Baduy live?

The Baduy make their living mainly through dry rice farming, using traditional methods. They also gather forest products and practice crafts such as weaving and basketry. Their houses are built from bamboo and wood, raised on stilts, and roofed with palm leaves. The Baduy avoid modern technology and tools, especially in the Inner Baduy area, and rely on communal labor and sharing. Food is simple, based on rice, tubers, and what is gathered from the forest.

How is Baduy society organised?

Baduy society is organized into subgroups and villages, with leadership by elders (kokolot) and village heads (puun). Descent and inheritance are patrilineal. Marriage is usually within the group, and strict rules govern social behavior and interaction with outsiders. Decisions are made by consensus among elders. The Inner Baduy maintain the strictest customs, while the Outer Baduy have more contact with the outside world and some flexibility in customs.

What do the Baduy believe?

The Baduy follow Sunda Wiwitan, a faith centered on ancestral worship and reverence for natural spirits. Their beliefs emphasize harmony with nature, ritual purity, and strict adherence to customary law (pikukuh). They believe in a layered universe, with sacred sites and rituals to honor ancestors and nature. Art and music are part of ritual life, and traditional dress is simple and symbolic, with the Inner Baduy wearing undyed white or blue clothing.

The history of the Baduy

The Baduy trace their origins to the beginning of humanity, according to their oral tradition. Some historians suggest they descend from refugees of the Sunda Kingdom who fled the spread of Islam in the late 16th century, but the Baduy themselves reject this. Their history is marked by resistance to outside influence and a strong commitment to preserving their customs. The Baduy have maintained their way of life despite pressures from colonial, national, and regional authorities, and their region is now protected by local regulation.

Baduy life today

Today, the Baduy number around 9,558 and continue to live mostly in their traditional homeland. They face pressures from population decline and outside interest, but have legal protection for their land. The Inner Baduy remain largely isolated, while the Outer Baduy have some contact with visitors and outsiders. Education and modern technology are still generally avoided, and the community works to maintain its traditions and environment.

Questions people ask about the Baduy

Sources and further reading

• Baduy people on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

This page was written with AI assistance from the sources above and checked automatically before publishing. It may contain mistakes, and it is no substitute for hearing from the Baduy themselves. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-02.