Inside the Baduy’s 200 km Sacred Night Journey: A Spiritual Trek Through Java’s Forests

Inside the Baduy’s 200 km Sacred Journey Through the Night The Baduy people of Indonesia’s Banten province continue to uphold centuries-old traditions through a demanding 200-kilometer round-trip pilgrimage on foot. Known as the Seba tradition, this annual journey takes place after Kawalu, the Baduy’s three-month period of fasting and thanksgiving. Traveling from their ancestral villages in Kanekes—Cibeo, Cikawartana, and Cikeusik—the Inner Baduy walk through the Kendeng Mountains to Rangkasbitung and onward to Serang City, all without the use of vehicles or artificial light. Guided only by moonlight and deep familiarity with the terrain, they navigate steep hills, slippery paths, and the occasional threat of venomous snakes. Despite the physical challenges, the journey is undertaken with purpose and reverence. As Rahman, a 50-year-old Inner Baduy resident, explained: “We walked to participate in Seba after undergoing Kawalu for three months. This is a rule from our ancestors.” The Seba tradition is more than a ritual; it is a sacred obligation rooted in cultural continuity and environmental stewardship. During the pilgrimage, the Baduy visit local government offices to deliver traditional messages of friendship, addressing regional leaders as “Bapak Gede” as a sign of respect and unity. Throughout the journey, participants rest periodically and sustain themselves with rice and tubers, relying on simple, traditional nourishment. Their commitment to walking everywhere without vehicles reflects a broader philosophy of living in harmony with nature—a practice that has drawn attention for its sustainability and resilience. The Baduy’s enduring customs offer a powerful example of cultural preservation and ecological balance. By maintaining their way of life against modern pressures, they demonstrate how indigenous knowledge can contribute to both human survival and environmental protection. Their journey, made entirely on foot under the cover of night, remains a profound expression of identity, discipline, and spiritual duty.