The Sakuddei

Overview

The Sakuddei are a small and ethnically separate community living on the island of Siberut off the west coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. Their distinctive way of life and elaborate religious ceremonies, centred on the umah (ceremonial house) are under threat from the Indonesian government which wishes to ‘civilise’ the Sakuddei. These people are also threatened by a timber company from the Philippines which has been granted a logging concession in the Sakuddei’s territory.