The Baduy people have demonstrated how to protect the environment in sustainable manner. This is crucial for the survival of humans and the ecosystem,Lebak, Banten (ANTARA) – Around 3:00 in the morning, while most people were still asleep, dozens of Inner Baduy people walked together through the dark forest in the Kendeng Mountains area of Lebak Regency, Banten.Without lights, they followed a path through the steep hills, a path that often posed risks, from slippery terrain to the threat of venomous snakes.The journey was nothing out of the ordinary for them. The Inner Baduy are accustomed to walking everywhere without vehicles.However, this particular journey had a special purpose: to participate in the Seba tradition, a centuries-old annual ritual observed by the Baduy community.The tradition is usually carried out in April or May after the Kawalu, the Baduy’s annual fasting and thanksgiving ritual.From the main villages of Cibeo, Cikawartana and Cikeusik in Kanekes Village, they made the long journey to Rangkasbitung, then continued on to Serang City.With a total round-trip distance of 200 kilometers, they covered it entirely on foot, in accordance with the traditional customs they still uphold.Along the way, they took sufficient rest while eating rice and tubers for energy sources.Despite the tiring process, the journey was undertaken with the full awareness that the Seba tradition was not just an annual event, but a sacred traditional obligation.”We walked to participate in Seba after undergoing Kawalu for three months. This is a rule from our ancestors,” Rahman, 50, an Inner Baduy resident, said.During the Seba tradition, Baduy people visit the local government to convey traditional messages of friendship.They address the regional head as ‘Bapak Gede’. They also present agricultural products such as dry rice, sweet potatoes, fruit and laksa as a symbol of respect.The request was simple: a guarantee of a safe, peaceful and secure life for their tribe.Past experiences underpinned this hope. Residents admitted to having faced security disturbances, such as the loss of livestock and illegal mining activities that have destroyed the forest.”Now the situation is safe. No more livestock has been lost, and the forest has not been destroyed. We are grateful to the government,” Rahman stated.For some residents, Seba is not just a tradition, but also an obligation that cannot be abandoned.Ato, 55, said that not attending Seba could have dire consequences according to traditional beliefs.”This has been going on for hundreds of years, since the time of our ancestors and the Banten Sultanate. It must continue to be carried out,” he said.At the 2026 Seba celebration, 1,552 Inner and Outer Baduy residents were recorded as attending the Lebak Regency Hall. They came with a collective spirit to preserve traditions that have been passed down through generations.Jaro Oom, a traditional elder and head of Kanekes Village, explained that Seba has broad significance. In addition to being an expression of gratitude for the harvest, this tradition also symbolizes the relationship between the indigenous community and the government.”The handover of agricultural produce is a form of respect and a reminder that this relationship must be well-maintained,” he said.Seba also reflects the values held dear by the Baduy people, such as togetherness, peace and balance in life. These values are reflected in the way they manage the environment. Protecting environmentThe Baduy, an indigenous Sundanese community in Lebak, Banten, are known for strictly maintaining a traditional lifestyle, rejecting modern technology and living in harmony with nature.Within their customary territory of approximately 5,200 hectares, they maintain forests as protected areas. Dozens of rivers in this region serve as important water sources for communities downstream in Banten.”We protect the forest because it is a legacy from our ancestors. If the forest is damaged, life will also be disrupted,” Saidi Yunior, an Inner Baduy traditional elder emphasized.Customary laws strictly regulate forest use, including prohibitions against destroying certain areas known as closed forests. The Baduy people also protect dozens of mountains in Banten to prevent exploitation or conversion.These efforts are considered to contribute significantly to maintaining ecosystem balance. River water in the Baduy region, for example, remains clear and of good quality, even amidst environmental pressures in other areas.The local government recognizes the important role of the Baduy people in environmental conservation.Lebak Regent Mochamad Hasbi Asyidiki expressed his appreciation for their consistent efforts in protecting forests and nature.”The Baduy people have demonstrated how to protect the environment in sustainable manner. This is crucial for the survival of humans and the ecosystem,” he said.The government, he continued, is committed to protecting the area from exploitation, including illegal mining activities.Not only a traditional tradition, Seba is also beginning to be seen as a potential destination for cultural and tourism development.The Lebak Regency Government is targeting this celebration to be included in the top 10 Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) celebrations, which include MSME product exhibitions, art performances and wayang golek performances.The events are expected to attract tourists and provide an economic impact for the community.However, preserving traditional values remains a top priority. Leiden University researcher Jet Bakels believes that the strength of the Baduy people lies in its ability to maintain a balance between tradition and change.”Since the Pajajaran era, the Baduy community has had a responsibility to protect their customary forests. That value persists to this day,” she said, referring to a golden age for the Sunda Kingdom in West Java, during 1482-1579 period.Amidst the tide of modernization, the Baduy community maintains a simple way of life, without electricity, modern infrastructure and electronic devices.Their houses are built from natural materials such as bamboo and wood, in harmony with the environment.Their early morning journey of Seba is not merely a physical journey, but part of a life cycle that is constantly being maintained.Within the long steps toward Seba lies a commitment to upholding tradition, protecting nature and maintaining the balance that underpins their lives.