The Sacred Hive

For the Baduy people, honey is inextricably linked to their knowledge of how to preserve the traditional forest. In addition to being regularly consumed daily, honey has grown to be an important part of the Baduy people's economy.

Arable forest, protected forest, and forbidden forest comprise the three functional divisions of their social landscape. According to the locals, forest is an identity that permeates every breath and every part of the body.

The Baduy people live in Kanekes Village, Leuwidamar District, Lebak Regency, Banten, where communities are concentrated in the Ciujung river basin, which is a part of the Kendeng Mountains Cultural Heritage region. The community will suffer hardship if the forest is harmed.

The phrase " Lojor henteu beunang dipotong, pendek henteu beunang disambung" means both long and short are incapable of being cut or fixed is the Baduy people's approach to defending and preserving forested zones. The fact that forests represent a priceless cultural legacy is the foundation of this persistent dedication.

This project is representation of the Baduy people's relationship to the purity of their ancestral forest through photographs. A sociocultural linkage that can sprout life, ensuring that forest can give individuals nourishing food, clean water, and sweet honey. (2022)