Desa Gelaralam (Gelaralam Village), previously called as Ciptagelar Village, in Cisolok, Sukabumi, is a unique example of how ancestral traditions that have endured for more than 640 years coexist with modern technology. While maintaining a traditional way of life, the village remains open to innovation.
Securing Food Reserves for Up to 95 Years and Beyond
The survival of the Desa Adat Kasepuhan Gelaralam (Gelaralam Indigenous Village) community for more than nine decades is largely due to its sustainable agricultural practices. The local wisdom of managing rice harvests by setting aside 10% for storage in leuit (rice barns) has become a safety net for the community's food security.
Although the village only harvests rice once a year, the tradition of storing part of the harvest in leuit ensures the food security of the Gelaralam Kasepuhan Indigenous Village. Each family is required to have at least one personal leuit, while communal leuits also serve as shared food reserves.
It is not surprising that there is rice in the village that is hundreds of years old. According to local beliefs, selling rice is tantamount to selling one's life. The villagers believe that rice symbolizes life itself.
The village's philosophy, which considers rice sacred and incorporates environmental protection into daily activities, emphasizes the importance of balance between man and nature.
The village also has a communal kitchen that operates 24 hours a day, where villagers cook and eat together. This symbolizes a harmonious and sustainable way of life and offers a valuable lesson in how tradition, technology and sustainability can work hand in hand for shared prosperity.
Own Private Radio and TV Stations
Desa Gelaralam has also demonstrated its ability to adapt to modern dynamics. The presence of the radio station "Suara Ciptagelar" and the local television station "Ciga TV", which serve as platforms for environmental education and documentation, is clear evidence of the community's commitment to preserving both culture and nature.
More impressively, the village has achieved energy self-sufficiency through the use of renewable resources such as water and solar power. The availability of Internet access further strengthens Gelaralam's position as a village that adapts to the changing times.
Harvesting Energy from Nature
Desa Gelaralam has a well-established micro-hydropower system (PLTMh). The development of renewable energy in the village began in 1997 with the construction of the Cicemet turbine with a capacity of 50 kVa, supported by JICA Japan.
Between 2006 and 2012, the West Java provincial government built the Situ Murni turbine with the same capacity. The development continued with the construction of Cibadak and Ciptagelar PLTMh in 2013-2014.
These plants utilize the potential of the 800 meter long Cisono River to generate electricity. Thanks to these efforts, an estimated 1,500 to 1,700 families in Gelaralam now have reliable access to electricity.
In addition to the micro-hydropower plants, the village also has a photovoltaic solar power plant (PLTS) as an alternative energy source. The electricity generated by the PLTS is used not only for daily needs, but also to support the development of digital infrastructure such as Wi-Fi networks.
Not surprisingly, despite living in remote mountains, the indigenous community remains connected to information. Children in Gelaralam are accustomed to using the Internet while still finding time to practice silat, a martial art that is an important part of their identity.
