TWO INDONESIAN INNER BADUY GIRLS CROSS A RIVER IN BANTEN PROVINCE, 2002-09-17 (photo)

Two Indonesian girls from the isolated inner Baduy tribe cross a river near one of the tribe's three villages in Banten province on September 11, 2002. The Inner Baduy comprise 900 people and live only 170 km (100 miles) from the capital Jakarta. The tribe rejects modern conveniences and devices, believing they would violate their traditional way of life. The Inner Baduy have managed to keep their ancient life from being eroded by restricting contact with the outside world, including a prohibition on taking photographs inside their village and allowing only Indonesians into their realm. The Inner Baduy's philosophy rejects all modern inventions, such as irrigation, electricity, cars, soap and detergent. Their beliefs are a blend of animism and ancient Hinduism. REUTERS/Beawiharta BEA