The Badui Custom Elders Hold a Socialization of the Prohibition of the Use of Modern Tools

JAKARTA - The customary elder who also serves as the head of Kanekes Village, Lebak Regency, Banten, Jaro Oom, held a socialization activity regarding the prohibition of the use of modern equipment in the settlement area of the Badui Tribe community.

"We hope that through socialization of the customary prohibition, it will be obeyed by the Bedouin community," said Jaro Oom when contacted in Rangkasbitung, Lebak, Sunday.

He explained that the socialization activity involved a number of adat figures as well as leaders of the Inner and Outer Bedouin (Panamping) communities. This program has been running for more than a month and targets all Bedouin communities in the interior of Lebak Regency.

According to Jaro Oom, the Bedouin community has various customary rules inherited from their ancestors that must be obeyed. Among them are prohibitions on the construction of modern infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and educational facilities, as well as prohibitions on the use of modern equipment in daily life.

The prohibited equipment includes modern materials, such as glasses, plates, teapots, and thermoses made of glass. He hopes that through this socialization activity, the awareness of the Bedouin community to obey customary rules can continue to increase.

Jaro Oom said that since ancient times, the Bedouin community has lived using traditional equipment made from natural materials, such as trees and clay. For example, glasses, plates, and teapots are made from bamboo stems, while cooking utensils such as pots, jugs, pans, jars, and cobek are made from clay.

He hopes that both the Inner and Outer Bedouin communities have the same awareness to continue to use traditional equipment in accordance with customary provisions. "We are carrying out socialization so that the Bedouin community does not violate local customary law," he said.

Currently, the number of Bedouin residents is recorded at around 11,600 people spread across 68 villages.

Meanwhile, Jamal (45), a Bedouin from Luar from Kadu Ketug Village, expressed his support for the socialization of the prohibition on the use of modern tools which was carried out through adat deliberation.

According to him, the implementation of customary rules is usually accompanied by direct inspection activities to the homes of Bedouin residents. He emphasized that customary rules that were inherited from ancestors must still be upheld in the lives of indigenous people.

However, Jamal admitted that the development of time and modernization also influenced the lives of Bedouin people. Currently, not a few residents have started using modern equipment such as plates, glasses, teapots, thermoses, and even mobile phones.

"We as Badui Luar residents still comply with the appeal about the customary prohibition operation," he said.