Baduy’s Honey Road

The Baduy (or Badui), who call themselves Kanekes, are a traditional community living in the western part of the Indonesian province of Banten, near Rangkasbitung. Their population of between 5,000 and 8,000 is centered in the Kendeng mountains at an elevation of 300-500 meters (975′-1,625′) above sea level. Their homeland in Banten, Java is contained in just 50 km² (20 sq. miles) of hilly forest. Members of the Baduy tribe safeguard their traditional ways of life by resisting any form of modernity. They obey the entire set of custom, including traditional prohibitions. Among others, prohibitions include smoking, committing crimes like fighting and killing, divorce and traveling by transportation. Otherwise, that rule doesn’t make three teenagers to give up for adding their experiences in Jakarta, Sanip (26), Zakri (26) and Sarip (32). They had to go on foot, and passed 14 rivers, 67 villages, and 2 railway stations. They walked to Jakarta, Indonesia’ capital’s city, during three days, about 200 kilometers down the road. Surely, walk barefoot. (Ahmad Zamroni for National Geographic Indonesia Magazine)