Baduy residents visited Lebak Regent's office for Seba Baduy

A total of 1,769 Baduy residents came to the Lebak Regent's office in Rangkasbitung District, Lebak Regency, Banten Province, for the Seba Baduy event on May 2, 2025.

Seba Baduy is a tradition of the indigenous people of Kanekes Village, Lebak to hand over the harvest to the regent and governor, which is held in May 1-4, 2025 at the Lebak Regent's Office in Rangkasbitung District and the Banten Governor's office in Serang City.

The welcoming procession for the Baduy community began at 16:00 Western Indonesia Time (WIB), with mapag or pick-up at the Keong Rangkasbitung Bridge. Lebak residents enlivened this welcoming event by lining up on the side of the road

The Outer Baduy members, who wore black clothes with batik headbands in the distinctive colors of black and blue, account for most of the procession. The Baduy Dalam, which only numbered in the dozens, wore white clothes with dark vine-patterned shorts and white headbands. They walked barefoot to the regent's office in line with Baduy tradition.

Upon arriving at the Regent's Office, they rested in the pavilion while enjoying boiled snacks and then had dinner. Afterwards is Murwa Seba, the main event of Seba Baduy event and a symbolic ritual of harvest handover which took place at around 19.30 WIB that was accompanied by prayer.

Following the Murwa Seba, the visiting Baduy people held a dialogue with Lebak Regent Mochamad Hasbi Assyidiki Jayabaya and several regional officials.

Seba Baduy is more than the Murwa Seba as a form of gratitude, it is also done to establish good relations. Father Sami, an elder of the Baduy Dalam community from Cibeo Hamlet, Kanekes Village, Leuwidamar District, Lebak Regency said that this year's Seba Baduy was different from previous years. This year, the Baduy community held a Seba Gede, or major Seba.

"Last year it was Seba Kecil, this year is for a Seba Gede. [They are held in] alternateling [years]," explained Father Sami on May 2, 2025.

Father Sami, who is a former jero or village head, explained that the minor Seba, or Seba Kecil, only has agricultural produce for the offerings. Meanwhile, characteristic kitchen utensils of the Baduy people are included for Seba Gede.

"Kitchen utensils such as cooked rice containers, trays, and rice containers [are included in Seba Gede]. In Seba Kecil, only agricultural produce [are included among the offerings]," he said in Sundanese, which was translated by Lebak Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) representative Muhi Bustomi.

The agricultural produce that were handed over encompass rice, sugar, taro, chilies, and vegetables. Father Sami admitted the agricultural produce from Kanekes Village that were included in the Seba Baduy offerings were not very good.

"A bit lacking, different from last year," he noted.

Father Sami also explained that Seba Baduy was held after the indigenous people completed their Kawalu fast, where they fasted for one day a month for three months.