BADUY, WEST JAVA, December 2, 2008: High in the lush hills of far western Java, an animist tribe lives a peaceful existence, untouched by the turmoil of the financial crisis. The Baduy, who are estimated to number somewhere between 5,000-8,000 people, are surviving in tribal lands only 120 km (75 miles) from the teeming mega-city of Jakarta. Yet despite their proximity to the Indonesian capital, the Baduy might as well be a world away as they live in almost complete seclusion, observing customs that forbid using soap, riding vehicles and even wearing shoes. Villagers stare blankly when asked about events in the outside world.
Within a 50 sq km (20 sq mile) area in the shadow of Mount Kendeng, the Baduy people cling to their reclusive way of life despite the temptations of the modern world. No one is certain of their origin. Some anthropologists think they are the priestly descendents of the West Java Hindu kingdom of Pajajaran and took refuge in the limestone hills where they now live after resisting conversion to Islam in the 16th century.
When the government of Indonesia’s long-time strongman president Suharto tried to foist development on the Baduy in the 1980s they sent an emissary to plead to be left alone. Suharto conceded and arranged for the Baduy to mark out their territory with poles to protect them from outside influence.