Swidden cultivation as a form of cultural identity : the Baduy case

The Baduy are a distinctive group of some 6000 people who live in an area of 5100 ha in the mountainous region of south Banten, West Java. They are recognised as being of Sundanese ethnic origin, though their social organisation, religion and agricultural system differ from that of the surrounding moslem Sundanese. Their culture contains many elements that have disappeared in other parts of Java. At the present time, the traditional Baduy way of live is under great pressure, due to increasing population pressure on land, market penetration, and government policy.

This thesis addresses the interrelationship between the Baduy community and their environment in maintaining their distinctive identity. It demonstrates that social and economic organisation of the local community and the physical environment are strongly interrelated. The Baduy have developed distinctive socio-economic strategies to maintain their identity and local environment. These include a system of spatial zoning, consisting of a sacred core area (Inner Baduy); a less sacred surrounding area (Outer Baduy), and a buffer zone between Baduy and non-Baduy (Dangka area). Thus, the influences of modern culture and the market economy do not all penetrate to the core area, but are protected and filtered by the presence of Outer Baduy and the Dangka. Baduy have also adapted and developed appropriate strategies to use the market to help maintain their traditional way of life, by relying on imported rice for daily consumption, purchased by selling non rice products (especially fruit and palm sugar). The sacred rice grown in swiddens is, therefore, reserved for rituals. Moreover, there have also been able to maintain a viable system of swiddening through the innovative and economically productive management of fallow. The result is a study which throws unique light on the concept of sustainable development.