The Call of Baduy Culture

Esther Lince Napitupulu

· 4 minutes read

Narman, 30, has responded to a call to introduce the Outer Baduy to the outside world. Because he came from the village, he introduced the culture through selling handicrafts. His other goal is to encourage learning among Outer Baduy children.

Narman lives in Marengo kampong of Kanekes village in Leuwidamar district, Lebak regency, Banten. He believes that Baduy handicrafts must be developed to their full potential and marketed using a variety of means. So far, handicrafts like textiles, bags, bracelets, glassware and bamboo vessels are sold only in Ciboleger village, a traditional village where tourists are permitted to enter and visit the Outer Baduy.

The father of two, who guides tourists interested in visiting the Baduy indigenous people, believes that with a strong enough economy, the ethnic community will be able to preserve their traditional customs. However, he saw the reality was that more and more Baduy people were leaving the village for days, even up to a month.

"If many Baduy venture outside, the continuity of their culture and customs will be threatened," said Narman, who is a tribal member of the Outer Baduy.

The situation challenged Narman to try and find a solution to the current issues facing the Baduy. Having learned about the internet and its use for online sales around three years ago, he felt he had found the answer.

The use of digital devices and the internet are not permitted under the Baduy custom. The restriction intends to maintain the Baduy people’s ancestral traditions. However, Narman could not resist the whispered call that drove him to help the Baduy community.

He has been using a mobile device since 2016 to market Baduy handicrafts in secret, through the Baduy Craft social media account.

Every day, he walks quickly and agilely along a rocky footpath of about 4 kilometers over the hills to an inconspicuous located warehouse in Ciboleger village. Narman uses his gadget in the warehouse to manage his online store of neatly arranged handicraft items that he buys from residents and neighbors. Dozens of families have entrusted him with selling their handicrafts and benefited from Baduy Craft.

Customary leaders’ blessings

We met in Kampung Kadujangkung, which is part of Outer Baduy territory, where Narman was guiding a group from Kuark science magazine that had organized the “#BerbagiTerang Goes to Baduy” event for Baduy children on 8 Aug.

Narman said that he realized that digital devices could be a solution for his community to develop their handicraft potential. The Baduy people did not even need to leave home, so they could continue to carry on their culture and rituals.

Although it was not easy, Narman finally received the blessings of the Baduy customary leaders in continuing with his activities – activities that he believes are for the good of his people. Of course, he must conduct all activities related to the online sales of Baduy handicrafts outside the village, and inconspicuously.

Narman\'s progress in selling Baduy handicrafts online earned him the 2018 Semangat Astra Terpadu Untuk Indonesia (SATU; spirit of excellence for Indonesia) award. He also received support for developing Baduy Craft further.

"I continue to see what can be developed within the traditional customs. [We must not] break tradition," he said.

Narman wants the Baduy to not be seen as a primitive or isolated people. The community’s minimalist practices of utilizing resources according to need and not want, was an important tradition to continue in modern times for the current generation to pass their good way of life and pristine natural environment to their children and grandchildren.

As part of the younger generation, Narman would prefer the Baduy to adapt to the outside world. However, he also believes that, as he was born of the Baduy, he must uphold his ancestral heritage by maintaining his cultural traditions and inherited beliefs.

Narman has followed a path of peace to integrate the Baduy, who continue to maintain their ancestral heritage, with the modern-day economic and social challenges the community faces. He still respects the elders who uphold the traditional customs. He wants to be an example of a Baduy who still respects his ancestral blessings and beliefs while he actively seeks the appropriate solution to ensure the continued survival of the Baduy culture and people.

Narman

Born: Baduy, 1 April 1989

Wife: Pulung

Children: Fedriandi (5 y.o.), Nira (1.5 y.o.)

Awards:

- 2018 Semangat Astra Terpadu Untuk (SATU) Indonesia entrepreneurship award for online sales of Baduy handicraft

- First place winner, men’s 10K category, 2018 Multatuli Run, Lebak regency

Editor:

Baduy kompascetak narman