Kasepuhan Banten Kidul


The Kasepuhan Banten Kidul are a traditional Sundanese community of approximately 5,300 people. They live in the southern part of Mount Halimun Salak National Park, in the Indonesian province of West Java. The national park is located within the borders of the Sukabumi Regency, Bogor Regency, and Lebak Regency.
Their main village is Ciptagelar in the Cisolok district in the western part of the Sukabumi Regency. The current head of the community, Abah Ugi, inherited his position from his late father, Abah Anom. Other well-known village are Cibedug, Citorek, and Sirnaresmi.

Etymology

The word kasepuhan is formed on sepuh, which means 'old' in Sundanese. It refers to a way of life based on ancestral traditions and, eventually, to the local community that lives according to these traditions.

History

According to oral tradition, the Kasepuhan have lived in this area since 1368. The ancestors of the Kasepuhan are said to have lived in the area of Bogor, east of Mount Halimun. At that time, their ancestors were part of the Sunda Kingdom, that encompassed the province of West Java and Banten.
Kasepuhan history was first recorded in 1368. The Banten Kidul area is divided into three regency areas. The Kasepuhan practice their ancestral traditions and continue living on rice plantations. As of 2014, 167 original and 300 new varieties were cultivated.

Economy

They primarily live via agriculture, split in two categories: huma and sawah. The dry system is the original way. The Dutch introduced the wet system.
About 85% of Kasepuhan agricultural land is sawah, 10% consists of ladang, and 5% kebun. They emphasise eco-friendly techniques. The surrounding land is mostly forest. The three forest categories are Leuweung Tutupan, Leuweung Titipan, Leuweung Garapan.

Culture

The Kasepuhan residents claim they are linked with the Baduy, another traditional group in West Java. The main belief system of Kasepuhan people is Sunni Islam, even though previously they were followers of Sunda Wiwitan. The Kasepuhan residents combine Islam with animism, Sundanese traditions, Pajajaran traditions, and thus Hinduism.
The main ritual of Kasepuhan community is Seren Taun, or rice harvest thanksgiving. The festival marks the new agriculture year. Seren Tuan festival is also celebrated by other Sundanese traditional communities in other areas, such as Sundanese community in Cigugur, Kuningan.