Lebak, Banten. The Baduy indigenous community in Banten Province has officially barred foreign tourists from entering several of its sacred areas, citing "the need to preserve cultural traditions and safeguard customary laws."

The ban, announced Sunday, applies to all villages within the Baduy Dalam (Inner Baduy) territory as well as Gajeboh village in Baduy Luar (Outer Baduy).

“The mandate from the Baduy customary council is that foreigners are not allowed to enter Gajeboh. The farthest they can go is Kaduketug 1, 2, and 3,” Kanekes Village Head Oom told reporters by phone. Gajeboh and Kaduketug are villages within the Outer Baduy area in Kanekes Village, Lebak Regency, Banten.

According to Oom, the decision followed deliberations by the Baduy customary council on Sept. 6 and Sept. 13. While restrictions on foreign entry into the Inner Baduy villages --Cibeo, Cikartawana, and Cikeusik-- have long been in place, the new measure expands the no-go zone to include Gajeboh, which borders the inner territory.

“Gajeboh directly borders the Inner Baduy area, so it is also prohibited. This is about respecting sacred spaces and maintaining customary order,” Oom explained.

The Baduy, who number around 12,000, are an indigenous group living in Kanekes Village, Lebak Regency, about 120 kilometers southwest of Jakarta. They are divided into two communities: the Baduy Dalam, who strictly uphold ancestral traditions by rejecting modern technology, electricity, and outside influence; and the Baduy Luar, who act as intermediaries with the outside world and allow limited contact.

The Baduy territory has long been a destination for both domestic and foreign tourists seeking authentic cultural experiences. However, the new restrictions underscore the community’s determination to keep its most sacred spaces untouched by outside influence.

The Outer Baduy territory remains generally open to international visitors, but only if a local Baduy or Indonesian guide accompanies them.

Oom stressed that the new rule is not meant to deter tourism but to balance cultural preservation with visitor interest. “We want tourism to continue, but traditions and sacred areas must remain protected,” he said.

Farid Surawan, head of creative economy at the Lebak Regency Culture and Tourism Office, confirmed that the administration has received formal notification of the ban.

“We must respect the Baduy customary council’s decision. They have their own traditional laws, and we are obliged to honor them,” Farid said, adding that the local government would soon launch an information campaign to ensure tourists are aware of the new rules.