Kampung Adat Cireundeu

Exploring the Local Wisdom of Kampung Adat Cireundeu: A Fortress of Food Security and Sundanese Culture in Cimahi

Kampung Adat Cireundeu is a traditional settlement located in Leuwigajah Village, South Cimahi District, Cimahi City, West Java. The name "Cireundeu" originates from the "Reundeu" tree, a type of shrub that once grew abundantly in this area and was often used as an ingredient for herbal medicine and as a vegetable side dish. Amidst the rapid modernization of Cimahi City, Cireundeu remains steadfast as a cultural center that holds tightly to ancestral philosophies, especially in terms of food self-sufficiency and the preservation of Sundanese customs.

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Philosophy of Life and Food Self-Sufficiency Based on Cassava

The most unique characteristic that distinguishes Kampung Adat Cireundeu from other traditional villages in West Java is its principle of food sovereignty. For over a century, precisely since 1918, the people of Cireundeu have not consumed rice from paddy. Instead, they consume "Rasi" or Cassava Rice.

This habit is not merely a dietary pattern but a form of implementing spiritual teachings and life philosophies. The community believes in the principle of "Teu Boga Sawah Oge Bisa Makan, Teu Boga Pare Oge Bisa Seubeuh" (Even without a rice field, one can eat; even without paddy, one can be full). This began from a long history of struggle against colonialism, where the ancestors of Cireundeu sought alternative food sources to avoid dependence on commodities controlled by the colonizers. The transformation of cassava into a staple food has made Cireundeu a national model for sustainable food security.

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Territorial Structure and Environmental Preservation

The community of Cireundeu divides their forest area into three highly respected functional parts:

1. Leuweung Larangan (Forbidden Forest): A forest area where trees are absolutely not allowed to be cut or damaged. The purpose is to maintain groundwater availability for the community's life.

2. Leuweung Tutupan (Reforestation Forest): A forest area used for reforestation. The community is allowed to plant trees here, but logging is only permitted with strict authorization for public interest.

3. Leuweung Baladahan (Agricultural Forest): An area designated for the community's agricultural land, where cassava, as the main commodity, is grown.

This division reflects local wisdom in ecosystem preservation. For the people of Cireundeu, nature is a mother who must be respected so that she continues to provide life.

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Traditional Arts and Cultural Performances

As a cultural center, Kampung Adat Cireundeu serves as a platform for preserving various distinctive Sundanese arts. One of the most prominent performances is Angklung Buncis. Unlike angklung in general, Angklung Buncis in Cireundeu has a distinctive tone and rhythm, often performed in traditional rituals or to welcome important guests.

In addition, there is the art of Karinding, a bamboo wind instrument that produces a unique vibratory sound. Karinding is not just a musical instrument but was historically a tool for spiritual communication and pest control in the fields. The younger generation in Cireundeu is regularly trained to play this instrument so that the tradition is not broken. Art performances here are usually accompanied by Sundanese songs containing advice on preserving nature and human relationships.

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Traditional Rituals and Annual Festivals

The most magnificent cultural event in Kampung Adat Cireundeu is the celebration of 1 Sura (Sundanese Saka New Year). This festival is a form of the community's gratitude for the harvest and their survival throughout the past year.

During the 1 Sura celebration, all residents gather, wearing traditional attire (predominantly white or black). The series of events includes:

• Ngajadikeun: A communal prayer process as a form of gratitude to the Creator.
• Cultural Parade: Showcasing various agricultural products and traditional arts.
• Silih Asah, Silih Asih, Silih Asuh: A tradition of communal dining with Rasi and various other cassava dishes as the main menu, which strengthens the bonds of kinship among residents and visitors.

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Educational Programs and Community Empowerment

Kampung Adat Cireundeu has developed into an educational tourism (edu-tourism) destination. The programs offered include:

1. Cassava Processing Workshop: Visitors are taught how to process cassava from upstream to downstream. Starting from grating, squeezing, drying it into Rasi, and processing cassava waste into crackers, cassava peel jerky, and cassava egg rolls.

2. Traditional School: An internal program for local youth to learn Sundanese script, ancestral history, and life ethics (etiquette) based on Sunda Wiwitan teachings.

3. Environmental Education: Inviting students to directly observe the water and forest conservation systems implemented by the indigenous community.

These efforts have succeeded in changing the perception that cassava is a "lower-class food" into a symbol of self-sufficiency and culinary innovation with high economic value.

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Role in Local Cultural Development

As a cultural center in Cimahi, Kampung Adat Cireundeu plays a crucial role as a balance to the city's identity. Amidst Cimahi's rapid manufacturing industry, Cireundeu serves as the "lungs" and "heart" of culture, reminding urban communities of their traditional roots.

The Cimahi City Government and various academic institutions often use Cireundeu as a center for social, cultural, and food research. The existence of this village encourages the development of a creative economy based on local wisdom, where Cireundeu's processed cassava products now reach markets outside the region as prestigious Cimahi souvenirs.

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Preservation of Cultural Heritage in the Digital Era

The people of Cireundeu are not closed off to technology, but they utilize it wisely for preservation. Promotion of cultural activities is now done through social media to attract the interest of millennials and Gen Z to visit and learn. Although they use gadgets and the internet, core values such as dress code, speaking to elders, and consuming Rasi are maintained with great discipline.

Residential houses that still maintain stilt architecture with wood and bamboo materials are also continuously maintained. This is not just for aesthetics but as a form of respect for earthquake-resistant architecture that is in harmony with nature.

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Conclusion

Kampung Adat Cireundeu is not just a frozen historical site but a living and dynamic cultural center. Through consistency in upholding the philosophy of food sovereignty and environmental preservation, Cireundeu offers valuable lessons to the modern world on how to live sustainably. Its existence proves that the progress of the times does not have to mean abandoning identity, and that a nation's strength begins with its ability to respect its own land and ancestral traditions. By continuously maintaining harmony between humans, nature, and the Creator, Kampung Adat Cireundeu will remain a Sundanese cultural beacon illuminating Cimahi City and Indonesia.