Kasepuhan Ciptagelar

On the last week of May, I went on a journey with Bergada Kina to Kasepuhan Ciptagelar, Sukabumi for an Arsitektur Hijau related trip. It took us more than 12 hours to reach there from Bandung. So that was stressful... But somehow we found our ways to make it not as dreadful.

Halfway on the road, I realized that I didn't bring any extra 35mm film. I was pretty sure I've packed my Potra and Ilford in one small container but I guess I didn't put it in my carrier. I panicked but thank God, I still have 8 frames left in my pocket Konica. So these are the only 8 photos I took during the trip. The 8 must-be-perfect shots. Thank God it all turned out quite great although the last shots had some light leaks.

Kasepuhan Ciptagelar, 2013

Konica Lexio 70 | Kodak Potra 400 

When we arrived, we were welcomed by Kang Yoyo, Abah's (or the king's) right hand. He explained about the traditional village, Kasepuhan Ciptagelar. It holds a strong belief and tradition on farming and harvesting rice. From the time they plan the seeds, until they harvest, they have ceremony for each of the process. One unique belief of theirs is that they refuse to use any kind of technology to make farming easier. So everything they do with the rice, is with man-power. Even carrying the harvested rice to the leuit (or lumbung padi, the small huts used as storage). 

Although they refuse to incorporate technology into their farming and harvesting method, luckily, they don't refuse to incorporate technology into their daily life. I think this is the only village that I've ever been to that has its own Wi-fi. Yeap, that's right. They have a small BTS with a Wi-fi signal that can reach almost a 3km radius. Not only that, the electricity of the village is powered by a micro-hydro water turbines which they built themselves. So they do not depend on PLN. And surprisingly, they also have solar panels which they use to store solar energy that will be converted to electricity if in case the power is down. How. Amazing. Is. That.

To wrap it up, I genuinely respect the fact that the village still hold on to their tradition and to their forefather's values but doesn't mind adding to their tradition the modern-day values and technology as long as it won't corrupt their values and tradition. All in all, we had such a great time there and if it won't take 12 hours to get there, I would definitely come back just for fun. 

PS: They have a Facebook page and a website!

Facebook: Kasepuhan Ciptagelar | Website: ciptagelar.org