bandung hotels, tourism and travel, West Java - indonesia

At Neglasari near Salawum a path known as Jl. Naga lead down a concrete stairway in the hillside.  Turn left and follow the path, staying on the same side of the river.  It is about 15 minute walk each way.

In spite of its proximity to modern society, Naga has retained its traditional custom over the centuries.  The odd residents if Kampung Naga maintain one of the few village built according to the very old Sundanese custom.  All the 102 houses are laid out in neat rows, each has same size and the same style.

The walls are made of bamboo as using brick is considered taboo.  Furnishing houses is not allowed as it is against their ancestors custom.  Guests sit on the verandah carpetedonly by pandanus leaf mats.  Also the mosque is built on stilts along an east-west axis, using woods, bamboo, and thatch.  Terrace walls and walkways are fashioned from viver rock.

The people of Kampung Naga follow traditions of the karuhun or forefathers, and kokolot or the eldest head of the village who is very much respected.  They preserve many indigenous traditions.  One of them is a monthly pilgrimage to the grave of the village founder Embah Dalem Singaparna, who lies burried atop hill to the 12th if Maulud. 

Women hull their rice manually in the lesung, a wooden trough set in a small gazebo above the river.