BADUY, BANTEN — Cultural Orphan “Saba Baduy” is an activity initiated by Dompet Dhuafa Lembaga Pelayan Masyarakat (LPM) or Community Service Institute. This activity was held to provide space for orphans to get to know more closely the customs, culture, and wisdom of the Outer Baduy Tribe.
On Saturday to Sunday (29-30/7/2023), LPM Dompet Dhuafa invited 100 orphans from Jabodetabek to visit and spend the night in Kampung Gajeboh, Kanekes, Lebak, Banten. In addition, this activity aimed to increase knowledge insight as well as provide character provision of orphans, especially culture about baduy, both outer baduy and inner baduy tribe, and also as a momentum for the commemoration of 10 Muharram 1445 H.
The Cultural Orphan “Saba Baduy” was officially opened by Arif Rahmadi Haryono as General Manager of Social Services and Advocacy of Dompet Dhuafa by pinning the “Saba Baduy” attribute symbolically to the participant representatives. He advised to be able to maintain the attitude and cleanliness of the environment while in Baduy.
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“Welcome and, we thank of course the Baduy people who have accepted us. Since we are guests, please keep your attitude, keep your behavior, and keep the environment clean. Later, you’ll be able to learn, be able to see directly how the Baduy Tribe as one of the indigenous tribes, upholds its culture and customs,” said Arif.
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Various interesting activities that can add to the children’s experience are also presented in this activity. Among them are sharing sessions with Ayah Karmain, a native of the Inner Baduy Tribe; weaving and yarn making, one of the livelihoods of the Baduy community; making knitting bags, local wisdom products in the style of the Baduy Tribe; and traditional music performances typical of the Baduy.
After arriving at Ciboleger Terminal, the children were given ammunition in the form of drinking water and snacks as supplies to Kampung Gajeboh Outer Baduy Tribe. Although covering a distance of 1-3 km, the participants were also amazed by the scenery that was still beautiful and maintained, strict customs and cultural traditions. The activity continued with Saba Baduy who directly brought Ayah Karmain as the Spokesperson for the Inner Baduy Tribe.
In line with this, this activity was welcomed by Ayah Karmain and the Baduy community around Kampung Gajeboh. He hopes that with the presence of children here, they can bring home many lessons and can add knowledge and broader insight.
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“About the children from Dompet Dhuafa’s visit, we feel bungah (proud) and happy, because we here have a kind of trust, the orphans that we must be able to help, because it is an obligation. We must help each other, we feel happy because of the arrival of Dompet Dhuafa. Although the stay tonight is a very modest stay, our traditional rules are like this,” said Ayah Karmain.
Limited lighting did not become a barrier for children to interact directly with the Baduy community. They seemed enthusiastic as evidenced by the many questions asked to Ayah Karmain.
Located on the banks of the Ciujung River, Kampung Gajeboh covers around 60 houses. Not alone, there are many networks of Outer Baduy villages that accompany it. Kampung Kadu Ketug, Cimarengo, and Balingbing are its closest neighbors.
Customs and traditions that are still very well-maintained make Dompet Dhuafa want to introduce them to the children as well as to provide experience, knowledge, and learning for them.
“Children can bring provisions about tolerance, also know local wisdom, so that this can become a provision for children in the future that this world does not only exist in gadgets. People here can live without gadgets, without electricity but they can survive side by side with nature without damaging nature.
The output of this activity, in addition to inviting children to travel while studying, Dompet Dhuafa also pays attention to the sustainability of their education and economy where after this activity, they will get orphan education scholarships which will continue where scholarship funds are provided until graduation.
Zidni Agnia Ilman (17), one of the participants from Bekasi, expressed his amazement at the beauty of Baduy.
“It’s really nice to be here, because I’ve never been to Baduy before. I really want to go to Baduy. I learned a lesson to be able to survive in modest conditions, especially without electricity, without signals, especially the scenery is still beautiful. The journey was also very exciting,” Zidni said. (Dompet Dhuafa/Anndini)