Kampung Naga - An Indigenous Village in Tasikmalaya

Kampung Naga is a traditional village located in Neglasari village, Salawu sub-district, Tasikmalaya regency, West Java. Its people still hold strong the customs inherited by their ancestors where they live in an order that is overwhelmed by the atmosphere of modesty and the environment of indigenous wisdom.

Because of the uniqueness of this village is often visited by tourists, both local and mancanagara, and serve as a place of study about the life of rural Sundanese people in the transition from Hindu influence to the influence of Islam in West Java.

The History of Kampung Naga

The origins of this adat village are not very clear. It is not known when, who established and how this village stands.

This is said to be due to lehur-leaf manuscripts that can tell the history of the burning village at the time of DI / TII rebellion in 1956. The rebel gangs are unhappy because the villagers do not support their cause, burning down the village including heritage storage.

Naming the Dragon itself is quite strange, because as is known dragon is a hallmark of Chinese culture. While the village can be said far from that influence. There are no ornaments or images of dragon animals in Kampung Naga.

Some say, the name of Dragon comes from "Na Gawir", yatu Sundanese language which means "abyss." This is because the village of Dragon is on the slopes of the river Ciwulan.

Regarding the origin of the formation of the village, supposedly derived from a figure named Sembah Dalem Eyang Singaparana. He is a disciple of Sunan Gunung Jati assigned to spread Islam to the west.

In his journey, he stops in Neglasari village, currently a part of Salawu Tasikmalaya district. From the village, Singaparana with his students then opened a place that is currently a Kampung Naga.

The tomb of Sembah Dalem Singaparana is located in the forest in the west of the village and is rescued by the residents.

Location Kampung Naga

Dragon Village Tour, History and Art of Kampung Naga

Kampung Naga is located in a fertile valley of approximately 1.5 hectares. Topography is hilly and mostly used for housing, yard and pond. The rest is used for agricultural land in the form of rice fields that can be harvested 2 times a year.

To the west of Kampung Naga is limited by the sacred forest, the south is limited by the fields of the inhabitants as well as in the north and east is limited by the river Ciwulan whose source of water comes from Cikuray mountain, Garut.

Administratively, this village is located in Neglasari Village, Salawu District, Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java Province. Location of the village not far from the highway that connects the city of Garut with the city of Tasikmalaya.

From the town of Tasikmalaya this village is about 30 kilometers, while from the city of Garut about 26 kilometers or approximately can be taken approximately less in one hour. The benchmark is the coordinates S7.36440 E107.99470. To make it easy, we can use google map as follows:

When using a private vehicle, from Jakarta route is the Jakarta - Cikampek Toll -> Toll Purbaleunyi -> Toll Gate Cileunyi -> Nagreg -> Garut City -> Cilawu -> Location Kampung Naga. Being from Bandung take route Cileunyi -> Rancaekek -> Nagreg -> Leles and Garut City -> Cilawu -> Location Kampung Naga.

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When using public transportation, from Jakarta take the bus majors Kampung Rambutan - Garut - Singaparna off at Kampung Naga location. Being from Bandung menggunaka bus majors Bandunng - Garut - Tasikmalaya (Singaparna) in Cicaheum terminal, then stop at Kampung Naga.

If you have arrived, from the edge of Garut-Tasikmalaya highway (parking) to get to the village we have to go down the stairs (sunda: sengked) which has been walled to the banks of the river Ciwulan as far as 500 meters with a slope of about 45 degrees.

The sign is a giant cleaver. From this monument we must walk down a rocky staircase that descends to Kampung Naga. A very beautiful journey surrounded by panoramic beauty of rice fields.

Kampung Naga Community

According to records in Neglasari Village Salawu Subdistrict, in 2010 the number of Kampung Naga population amounted to 312 souls, with the number of Head of Family 108 Head of Family (KK). While the number of buildings 113 buildings 55 houses including special buildings that is one meeting hall, one mosque and one earth ageung.

But actually the number of Kampung Naga community that includes the custom "SaNaga" still many. Those who live outside Kampung Naga. There are even dragon people who live in big cities like Jakarta, Bandung, Cirebon, Garut, Tasikmalaya and others.

Those who are located outside Kampung Naga, are still bound by the dragon's custom and each of their traditional ceremonies comes to the village to visit the sacred tomb. But they are not bound by the customary rules such as making stage houses and other rules.

For its survival, the village community has a source of livelihoods from rice fields and fields. Both as an owner, a worker, or a laborer. As an additional livelihood, some people make woven or handicraft from bamboo.

Religion

The people of Kampung Naga all claim to be Muslims. Yet they are also very obedient to hold the customs and beliefs of his ancestors. In other words, although they mention embracing Islam, but the Shari'a they do is somewhat different from other Muslims.

For example, five-time prayers are only done on Fridays, while the usual days are not. Teaching for children in Kampung Naga takes place on Monday nights and Thursday evenings. As for the elderly on Friday night.

Haj pilgrimage, they assume no need to go far Mecca, simply carry out the ceremony sasih sasih time to coincide with Eid al-Adha 10 Rayagung (Dzulhijjah).

Kampung Naga

Kampung Naga As a Tourist Destination

With the attraction of Kampung Naga as mentioned above, then this kampong becomes a magnet for tourists, both local and foreign. Every day about 20 foreigners visit this village.

Indeed there is no special attraction to welcome or entertain the tourists. Even if there is not intended for the visitors but as a form of local performances only.

The people of Kampung Naga refused to call their village as a tourist attraction. The reason: they do not want to be a spectacle, instead they want to be guided.

Thus, entry here is free of charge. But, we can still contribute by buying souvenirs and hiring guide services.

During the holiday season, Kampung Naga will become more crowded by travelers. Usually tourists who stop by from Jakarta or Bandung. This is because of its convenient location, just a few hundred meters from the highway. Although only a stopover, the tourists can feel the peace for a moment when in Kampung Naga.