A Village Like No Other
javaprivatetour.com – Imagine walking into a village where the air carries a strange mix of earth, smoke, and something metallic that you can’t quite place. As you step further, you begin to hear the faint hiss of snakes, not hidden in the grass or lurking in the forest, but kept openly inside villagers’ homes. Welcome to Kertasura Village in Cirebon, West Java, a place both fascinating and unnerving, known worldwide as one of the largest suppliers of snake skin. Here, what most of us fear is what locals see as a blessing: snakes are not predators but livelihood.
The Daily Life of a Snake Village
Walking down the narrow lanes of Kertasura feels like entering another world. Behind simple brick houses, you may find basins, wooden tables, and ovens, not for cooking food but for processing reptilian hides. Every week, thousands of snakes arrive here from hunters who catch them in rivers, swamps, and coastal wetlands. For outsiders, the sight of baskets filled with writhing snakes is enough to raise goosebumps. But for the villagers, this is routine, their craft, their family tradition.
The process begins with a method that many might find unsettling. Snakes are killed not with blades or poison, but with water. A hose is inserted into the mouth, filling the body until it swells. The snake’s throat is tied to keep the water inside, making the skin stretch wide. After several minutes, the animal is either stunned or dead, ready for the next stage: skinning. With a precise cut, the hide is peeled away from head to tail, like pulling off a glove. In a matter of minutes, the snake’s shimmering patterned skin is separated, curled naturally into coils, while the meat is set aside.
From Skin to Luxury
Fresh skins are then nailed onto boards and left to dry. Some are placed in large drying ovens that can hold up to 60 kilograms at once, reducing moisture and preventing rot. Once hardened, they are dipped into dyes and chemicals to preserve color, highlight patterns, and prepare them for the fashion world. The final stage is sun-drying, with skins stretched taut under Java’s blazing heat. Lanes fill with these glossy strips, glistening under the tropical sun, a surreal sight for anyone visiting the village.
And what happens to the rest of the snake? Nothing goes to waste. The meat and internal organs are sold in markets, believed to cure asthma, skin diseases, or even boost male vitality. Snake eggs are gathered and sold as fishing bait. Meanwhile, the prized skins travel far beyond Cirebon, becoming handbags, belts, wallets, or even high-fashion jackets. Locally, a snake-skin bag might cost only IDR 150,000 to 300,000 (around USD 10–20), but once exported, the same item can fetch up to USD 2,500 (around IDR 40 million). It’s a staggering leap in value that keeps this small village connected to global fashion capitals.
A Strange Yet Thriving Heritage
It is striking to witness how something feared in most parts of the world is embraced here as a source of pride and survival. During the rainy season, when snakes are most abundant, Kertasura becomes even busier. Families, often including children, join in the work of drying, stretching, and sorting skins. To them, snakes are not monsters but daily companions in an industry that feeds their families and educates their children.
This paradox of terror transformed into livelihood, is what makes Kertasura so unique. It’s not a theme park or staged attraction, but a living, breathing community where life and death are intertwined with commerce and tradition. For travelers, researchers, or content creators, visiting Kertasura is an unforgettable experience. It’s the kind of place that challenges perceptions and leaves you questioning the line between necessity, culture, and cruelty.
Conclusion: Explore the Unseen with Java Private Tour
Kertasura Snake Village is not your average tourist destination. It is raw, real, and eye-opening, a reminder that Java’s stories go far beyond temples and volcanoes. But exploring such a place on your own can be overwhelming. That’s where Java Private Tour comes in. With professional English-speaking guides, flexible itineraries tailored to your interests, and private car rentals from sedans to luxury vans, we ensure your journey is safe, insightful, and respectful to local communities. Our services come highly recommended, even by foreign embassies, and we pride ourselves not as generalist tour operators but as specialists for travelers seeking deeper, more authentic encounters.
So, if you’re ready to explore the extraordinary world of Kertasura Snake Village and beyond, head over to our REQUEST PAGE and let’s start planning your adventure. Or you can simply CLICK THIS LINK to chat with us on WhatsApp. With Java Private Tour, you’re not just getting a guide; you’re gaining a friend who will ensure your trip is nothing short of extraordinary. See you in Java!
