In the midst of the rapid development of time and technology, there are still villages in Indonesia that maintain traditions and local wisdom for generations. One of the traditional villages that attracts the attention of many tourists is Kampung Naga, located in Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java. Naga village is known as one of the unique cultural tourism destinations because its residents still faithfully maintain traditional Sundanese customs, ways of life, and architecture.
The Origin of the Kampung Naga Name
At first glance, the name Kampung Naga may seem to be related to Chinese culture because it is identical to the figure of a dragon. However, it turns out that the origin of the name Kampung Naga has absolutely nothing to do with the mythological animal.
According to one of the traditional leaders of Kampung Naga, the name “Naga” comes from the Sundanese term “na gawir” which means “on the cliff” or “on the slope of the ravine”. This refers to the geographical location of Kampung Naga, which is indeed on a hillside and flanked by ravines and rivers. Over time, the mention of “na gawir” changed to “naga”, so the village is known as Kampung Naga.
Location of Kampung Naga
Kampung Naga is located in Neglasari Village, Salawu District, Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java. The location is quite strategic, located on the main route connecting Garut City and Tasikmalaya City. The distance from the center of Tasikmalaya City is about 32 km, while from Garut it is about 25 km. To reach this village, visitors must descend about 444 steps from the parking area to the settlement in the valley.
The Unique Architecture of Kampung Naga
One of the main attractions of Kampung Naga is the distinctive shape of its traditional houses. Almost all buildings in this village are uniform, built elongated from east to west, in the direction of the sun. The houses are built on stilts, with stone foundations, white lime-coated woven bamboo walls, wooden plank floors, and pitch-black palm fiber roofs that form “julang ngapak” or resemble bird wings.
Apart from houses, there are three important buildings in Kampung Naga, which are:
- Mosque, as the main place of worship.
- Bumi Ageung, a place to store heirlooms and customary sacred objects.
- Bale Patemon, a place for community meetings and deliberations.
Simple Life and Full of Local Wisdom
The residents of Kampung Naga live simply and are very close to nature. They utilize crops such as rice, vegetables, and fish for their daily needs. The rice harvest is usually stored in the leuit (granary) and rarely sold outside the village.
Uniquely, Kampung Naga still maintains a ban on the use of PLN electricity. Residents use batteries to power the television or radio, while for lighting they still rely on oil lamps or lamps. This is done to maintain the balance of customs and prevent the negative impact of excessive modernization.
Even so, this does not mean that the residents of Kampung Naga are closed to the times. Their children still attend public schools, residents are familiar with the use of cell phones, and some household furniture is already made of plastic. However, cell phone or battery charging is usually done outside the village area.
Traditional Traditions and Ceremonies of Kampung Naga
Kampung Naga is rich in traditions and traditional rituals that are still preserved today. Some of them are:
1. Menyepi Ceremony
Held every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday by all residents, both men and women. On these days, residents avoid bad conversations or actions that can pollute the peace.
2. Hajat Sasih Ceremony
It is an annual ritual performed in certain months in the Islamic calendar, such as Muharram, Maulid, Sya’ban, Syawal, and Dhulhijjah. In this ceremony, residents make a pilgrimage to their ancestors’ graves, clean the graves, bathe in Ciwulan River, and perform ablutions as a form of self-purification.
3. Traditional Arts
Kampung Naga is also rich in traditional arts such as Terbang Gembrung, Terbang Sajak, angklung, and xylophone. One of the arts that is considered sacred is Terbang Gembrung, which is usually played on Takbiran night and can only be witnessed by local residents.
The Tourism Attraction of Kampung Naga
In addition to its strong customs, Kampung Naga also offers a very beautiful natural panorama and cool air because of its location far from the crowds. Some other tourist attractions include:
- Green rice fields, clear rivers, and beautiful forests.
- The village atmosphere is calm and suitable for relaxation.
- Specialty souvenirs such as handicrafts from bamboo and coconut shells.
- Cultural education for tourists who want to learn firsthand about the life of the Sundanese traditional community.
Cost and Access to Kampung Naga
To enter Kampung Naga, visitors are not charged an official entrance ticket. However, there is a parking fee and also a voluntary fee for the services of a local guide who is usually also a source of explanation about traditional life there. In addition, if you want to eat or buy souvenirs, local products from residents are also available.
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