GEOGRAPH
Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) Province has own regional wide 57.365.57 km2. This Province located in west region of Indonesia. This Province has boundaries with the Indian Ocean in Westside and Eastside with the Malacca Strait.In the middle of this Province has aligned of Barisan Mountain through of plateau Tangse, Gayo and Alas. The highest top are Leuser (3.466 m), Ucop Molu (3.187 m), Abong-Abong (3.015 m), Peut Sago (2,786 m), Geureudong (2.295 m) and Burni Telon (2,566 m). Mountains in Aceh Besar there are top Seulawah Agam (1,762 m) and Seulawah Inong (865 m)
This area also has some lake that is Laut Tawar Lake in Aceh Tengah, Aneuk Laot Lake in Weh Island and Laut Bangko Lake in South Aceh. The rivers which have estuary to Malacca Strait are Aceh River, Peusangan River, Peureulak River and Tamiang River. While river which have estuary to India Ocean are Teunom River, Meureubo River, Simpang Kanan and Simpang Kiri River. The big rivers Alas and Tripa which popular for the rafting.
CLIMATE
NAD have tropical climate with dry season in early March month until August and the rains in September up to February. Rainfall in North Coastal and East area range from 1000-3000 mm and in West Coastal and South area are 3000 mm. Temperatures in coastal area mean 23 - 32 degree with the number relative dampness 65 and 75 %. On the contrary east wind remain to every year in the middle of the predominated by the westerly causing wave go out to sea to go up as long as coastal area west.
FLORA AND FAUNA
In NAD there are Various flora type start from lowland up to plateau, original forest both for have exploits and also not yet. Some wild plant and have been expressed as scarce species, like Reflessia which growing to team in Tourism Forest. This plant is part of family palmae and has very big leaf. Protected area for the continuity of live the flora and fauna divided into three group of National Park of Mount Leuser, Tourism Forest (Garden Hunt Linge) in Middle Aceh, and Sea Garden in Weh Island, Preserve in South-East Aceh and South Aceh.
From 120 kind of lumber which can do with commercials process are Ramin (dyere spp), Bulan (shorea spp), Durian Burung (durio cauntinatus mast), Gerunggang (cratoxilon spp), Pumah (tera menstaglobra mig), Sindur (sindora spp), Pasang (quercuss spp), Jambu (eugenia spp), Pulai (alsotonmia spp), Medang (alseodaphhne spp), Kapur (drubalapops spp), Kemupas (Koompasia malaecencies maing), Resak (vatica spp), Malas (parastemon urophyllum), Pisang-Pisang (mazzetia parviflora becca), Krueing (dipteccalpus spp), Bakau (bruquerra SPP), Seumantok (pine and resin). Beside that NAD province has forest product like honey, gaharu and others.
Hundreds years ago of Indonesia especially NAD province separate from Asian continent. That marked from the number of same animal in peninsula Malaya and Aceh area. In this area fauna potency was bigger. There are 512 mammalians, 313 bird, 76 reptile and 18 amphibious.
Some interesting animal type and now pertained rareness can be met in this area , like Sumatra Rhinoceros (dhidernoseros sumatrensis), Sumatra Tiger (pan the rarigris sumatrae), Orang Utan (pongo pygmaeus), Sumatran Forest Goat (nomosheaedus sumatrensisa), Elephant (elephants mazimus), and various bird type, like Rangkongan, Kuawang, Raja Udang. Beside that there are some animal like Monkey, Babon which not have tide (helobates sindactilus) and Monkey with long tide.
RELIGION AND RESIDENT
Resident in NAD Province are clan from various tribes and ethnical. Beside that there are also various types for example like China, European and India. Aborigine of Aceh tribe estimated an old Malay clan coming from Champa, Kocincina and Cambodia. Because young arrival Malayu with the culture storey which can be told have high that time cause the aborigine step aside to move to hinterland. This people now knew as Gayo people in Middle Aceh, and Alas in South-East Aceh.
From some guide of sea activity transport in ocean show that Achene’s have old conduct the international contact with the external world particularly with the old Chinese King that goes on. Some present from King still be met in Acheh now. Original Aceh Resident entirely embraces the Islam. The others embrace religion like Protestant, Khatolik, Budha and Hindu. Dissimilar embraces religion at the most 4 % from resident amount.
As embrace of Islam of society of Aceh of Syariat Islam in everyday life even custom a lot of from Islam. On that account Aceh recognized with the epithet "Serambi Mekah". This name gift because first entry Islamic Religion to Indonesia from Mecca trough Aceh. The first Islam Monarchic in Indonesia there are in Aceh and Islam people from other area which wish to give or obtain for the religious service haji to Mecca trough Aceh. Aceh become the place transit time go and come home to give or obtain for the religious service haji
In everyday communication Aceh people usually converse the Achene’s and Indonesia though in central town, besides Achene’s and Indonesia there are some different dialect in Language use, in region of dialectal south and west like Minang, while in Kuala Simpang the Malay Language. In Middle Aceh have Gayo Language, while in South-East Aceh the people has Alas dialectical. Solid area is town of Banda Aceh with the mean density 3.010 soul/km2. While area pertained resident seldom are West Aceh Regency by 32 soul/km2 And Middle Aceh Regency which only 19 soul/km2.
HISTORY
The ancestors of Achenese probably came from the south of Vietnam, Koching China and Cambodia. Later on Deutero Malay brought in new culture. The earliest people of Aceh (Proto Malay) were pushed up into the mountains and from today the two ethnic groups Gayo and Alas.
Aceh had a strategic position at the northwestern tip of Sumatra in between East and West. Aceh became transit point for spices from the Moluccas, camphor from Barus and its own pepper, Aceh also became the entry point for Islam, brought in by Arabic, Persian, Turkish and Indian traders. Although Java already had been influenced by the Islamic World, it was Aceh that became the the first really Muslim parts of Indonesia. By the end of the 13th century, an Islamic kigdom emerged, Pasai, which not only become a commercial center, but also a religious and educational center.
The Portuguese arrived the first time in 1509 to the kingdom of Pasai and Pendir (Pidie) and they later conquered Malacca. This whole period was marked by the rivalry between Aceh, Johor and the Portuguese in Malacca to control over the trade in the Malacca Straits, even thought Aceh finally won this war. They never won full control and never managed to establish a permanent foothold on the other side of straits. The Acehnese were often hindered by internal dissension with a long row of short lived rulers. In 1607 to 1636 Sultan Iskandar Muda ruled Aceh and during his time Aceh became the major power in the area, built upon very strong military strength, the sea was controlled by heavy galleys carrying 600-800 men, Land based forces had Persian horses. an elephant corps, big artillery and conscript infantry.
At the kingdom time, many Sultan/Sultanah be the leader in Aceh kingdom, they are :
• 1496-1528 Sultan Ali Mughayat Syah.
• 1528-1537 Sultan Salahuddin.
• 1537-1568 Sultan Alauddin al Qahhar.
• 1568-1575 Sultan Husain Ali Riayat Syah.
• 1575 Sultan Muda
• 1575-1576 Sultan Sri Alam.
• 1576-1577 Sultan Zainal Abidin
• 1577-1589 Sultan Alauddin Mansur Syah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mansur Syah I (Sultan Perak 1549-1577).
• 1589-1596 Sultan Buyong
• 1596-1604 Sultan Alauddin Riayat Syah Sayyid al-Mukammil.
• 1604-1607 Sultan Ali Riayat Syah
• 1590-1636 Sultan Iskandar Muda Johan Pahlawan Meukuta Alam.
• 1636-1641 Iskandar Thani Alauddin Mughayat Syah.
• 1641-1675 Sri Ratu Safiatuddin Tajul Alam.
• 1675-1678 Sri Ratu Naqiatuddin Nurul Alam
• 1678-1688 Sri Ratu Zaqiatuddin Inayat Syah
• 1688-1699 Sri Ratu Kamalat Syah Zinatuddin
• 1699-1702 Sultan Badrul Alam Syarif Hashim Jamaluddin
• 1702-1703 Sultan Perkasa Alam Syarif Lamtui
• 1703-1726 Sultan Jamal ul Alam Badrul Munir
• 1726 Sultan Jauhar ul Alam Aminuddin
• 1726-1727 Sultan Syamsul Alam
• 1727-1735 Sultan Alauddin Ahmad Syah
• 1735-1760 Sultan Alauddin Johan Syah
• 1750-1781 Sultan Mahmud Syah
• 1764-1785 Sultan Badruddin
• 1775-1781 Sultan Sulaiman Syah
• 1781-1795 Alauddin Muhammad Daud Syah
• 1795-1815 dan 1818-1824 Sultan Alauddin Jauhar ul Alam
• 1815-1818 Sultan Syarif Saif ul Alam
• 1824-1838 Sultan Muhammad Syah
• 1838-1857 Sultan Sulaiman Syah
• 1857-1870 Sultan Mansur Syah
• 1870-1874 Sultan Mahmud Syah
• 1874-1903 Sultan Muhammad Daud Syah
In 1612 Iskandar Muda took Deli and Aru and n 1613 he defeated Johor, but Johor managed in the end to keep its independence by expelling the Acehnese garrison. In the following years he defeated a Portuguese fleet at Bintan, took Pahang and Kedah in Malaysia, sacked the Johor capital again and took Nias in 1624/25. In 1629 Sultan Iskandar Muda sent an expedition of several hundred ships against Malacca, but it was entirely devastated. According Portuguese reports. 19.000 men were lost. The era during Sultan Iskandar Muda is considered to be the golden age of Aceh. After his rule Acehnese dominance decreased and Johor could prosper. The Portuguese were expelled from Malacca by Johor and the Dutch VOC. Aceh entered a period of internal disunity and the royal authority was considerably diminished. During Iskandar Muda era, Aceh was the most important of the Indonesia kingdom in Malay literature, especially religious literature. The four most important authors were Hamzah Pansuri, Syamsuddin of Pasai (d. 1630), Abdurrauf of Singkil (d. 1617-90). and the Indian Nuruddin ar Raniry (d. 1658). After the decline in Acehnese power, Acehnese literature also lost its importance. Between 1641 and 1699 for queens rule the Muslim Aceh. From 1699 to 1838 there were eleven sultans of little importance of these eleven; there were Arabs, two Malays, and six Bugis. The court only controlled the city. The outlaying area was controlled by aristocracy, with the religious leaders as their only form of challenge.
One June 21, 1599 a Dutch trade ship under the command of Cornelis de Houteman and his brother Frederick landed in Aceh. This ship was attacked due to a Portuguese provocation and Cornelis de Houteman was killed and his brother taken prisoner. In 1602 Gerard de Roy arrived from the Netherlands, as an envoy from the Dutch Prince Maurits. His aim was to establish better relation between the two kingdoms and was well received. Aceh sent two envoys to the Netherlands. In early June 1602, British merchants, sent out by the British Queen Elizabeth, arrived and reached an agreement with the Acehnese Sultan. A charter of cooperation was signed.
In the 1820’s Aceh began again to emerge as a commercial and political power. In 1820 Aceh produced more than the half of the world’s pepper, The American, British and French competed for the pepper and their gunboats were often active in violent incidents. A new Acehnese leader emerged, Tuanku Ibrahim, who began to restore the power of the Sultan, ate. He became the guardian of several Sultans and from 1838 until his death in 1857 he had the title of Sultan himself, Sultan Ali Alauddin Mansur Syah. He played the pepper rulers against each other and through an expedition in 1854 he imposed his authority over Langkat, Deli and Serdang. During this time the Dutch had just suspended own northward expanse and a clash with the Dutch became inevitable. The Dutch feared that Aceh would become too powerful or that another European power would intervene. The British and the Dutch had signed a treaty not to intervene, but the Dutch grew more and more concerned about other powers. Napoleon Bonaarte had received an Acehnese emissary and the Turks had gotten a request for protection from the Acehnese. The British preferred the Dutch control over Aceh, rather than France or America. Through complicated maneuverings the Dutch and the British came to one of the biggest trade-offs in colonial history. The Ducth gave the Gold Coast in Africa and the British allowed shipment of Indian contract workers to Surinam and gave the Dutch a free hand in Sumatra and equal trading rights North of Siak. This meant war, for ths British in Africa and for the Dutch in Aceh. In 1873 the Dutch used a meeting in Singapore where Acehnese-American treaty was discussed, as an excuse to intervene, in March they bombarded Kuta Raja (present Banda Aceh) and landed with 3.000 men. The Dutch had misjudged the Acehnese resistance and had to withdraw with a loss of 80 men including their General. The Dutch then started blockades. Aceh managed to get a hugs army together, estimated at between 10,000 and 100.000 men. This was the richest, best armed and best organized opponent to ever face colonial expansionism. The Acehnese Sultan, Mahmud Syah, pleaded to the British, Americans, Turks and the French. Britain rejected his plea and so eventually did the Americans. The Turks were powerless and the French did not bother to answer In late 1873 the Dutch attacked with their biggest force ever in Indonesia, around 10.000 soldiers. Both sides suffered big losses, especially to cholera. The Acehnese abandoned Banda Aceh than the Dutch declared themselves, the winner in early 1874, but very prematurely. The Acehnese never surrendered and the Dutch were more or less besieged in Banda Aceh, which forced them into a full scale war. The Dutch advanced by bombardments and burning villages, but the Acehnese only retreated further up the hills without giving up. In 1881 the Dutch declared the war to be over, which was far from the truth. The Dutch controlled, in reality only their own garrisons and in the end they had to leave the countryside to Acehnese control. The Acehnese guerillas were led by religious leaders and the resistance became a holy war against unbelievers, the most famous leader was Teungku Chik Di Tiro (1836- 91). A turning point in the war came when the Dutch started to take advice from the Islamic scholar, the Frisian Dr. Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje. The new Dutch governor of Aceh, Van Heutsz, carried out the new policy, which was to crush the religious leaders, at any cost and try to appease traditional or secular leaders, the aristocracy. In 1903, the Sultan Tuanku Daud Syah finally surrender, but still went on plotting against the Dutch and led an attack on Banda Aceh in 1907, which failed, He was finally exiled, Also the major military leader surrended in1907 and became an official under the Dutch. Several religious leaders were killed in1910.12, For the Acehnese. The war never ended though, During the Japanese occupation, many secular leaders were imprisoned or murdered. After World War II when the Dutch attempted to reconquer Indonesia, Aceh was carefully avoided, except for Sabang. The religious leaders saw, in the Japanese, a chance to get rid of the Dutch, but were disappointed and continued resistance with guerilla attacks. Directly after the war the Acehnese attacked the Japanese who had to be evacuated by the Allies. A civil war between the pro-republican religious leaders and the secular leader broke out. The religious leaders won and Aceh became the only stable area in Indonesia when the aristocrats were deposed. On August 17, 1945 Indonesia declared itself as an independent Republic. The Acehnese supported the struggle against the Dutch with supplies, such as an airplane that was purchased with gold donations from the Acehnese. This airplane became the first plane of Garuda International Airlines and is now a monument in Banda Aceh.
In 1949 Aceh had been made an autonomous province of the Republic, but in 1950 Aceh was amalgamated with the province of Sumatra Utara. Aceh never accepted this, and in 1953 it came as far as military intervention from Jakarta and the Acehnese provincial government withdrew to the hills again, In 1957, a ceasefire was signed, but the stalemate lasted until 1959, when Aceh was given the Daerah Istimewa” status (Special District), Aceh obtained virtual autonomy in matters of religion, customary law (adat) and education. Fighting stopped, except for a few cases for two more years. Aceh gained what no other of the rebellious provinces managed to achieve.
CULTURE
The Province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam has many different people who have been colored by the Islamic religion. Nevertheless, the Hindu religion strongly influenced the culture long before the arrival of Islam. Still today some Hindu influences can be encountered in current traditions through arts, customs, and everyday life.
Acehnese traditional arts contain religious, communal, democratic and heroic identity. Acehnese literature is written in Acehnese and Malay (jawi). Arabic words and symbols are influenced in Acehnese.
Daily attire in Aceh conforms in principle with the teachings of Islam regarding morality. Women are required to cover their aurat the legs down to the ankles, the arms, the body and the hair. In the past, women usually wore pants, but times have changed, nowadays, the Acehnese usually prefer to wear sarongs and batik blouses, although still carefully keeping the aurat covered. Western-style blouses and dresses are common among young woman, particularly school children, university students and office personnel. Even so, modesty is still regarded a great virtue, and nudity in places such as beaches is still never to be seen. Visitors, obviously, do well to keep these values in mind.
The fasting month of Ramadhan and Fridays are of high religious significance to Moslem. During the month of Ramadhan, all adults are required to fast, but without upsetting their normal daily activities. From dawn to dusk, people refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking. Non Moslems who wish to take their meals usually find a secluded place where they can do so without offending those who fast. However, restaurants are usually closed during the daytime during the whole fasting month. On Fridays, male adults and children take part in the noontime congregational prayers that are prescribed by the faith. Offices and shops are closed until the end of the prayers.
Public manners are important. Strangers visiting a village, for example, would do well to at least let the village head know of their arrival. Better yet, he could introduce himself to the people and get acquainted with them. When two people meet, they greet each other by saying assalamualikum (‘may peace be with you”). The reply is waalaikum salam ( peace be with you, too”). The first to greet the other usually the person arrived. After exchanging those words, they usually shake hands. The same greetings are exchanged between speaker and audience at formal gatherings. Giving or receiving something from another person is always done with the right hand.
THE TRADITIONAL DRESS
Aceh is divided into 21 regencies; each regency has a different traditional dress. But the standard dress for the Acehnese men include full cut black trousers, a black top with long narrow sleeves with one single button at the neck. A silk cloth (songket) is tied around the waist and a “rencong (dagger) is stuck in behind it, on the head a “kupiah meukeutob” topped wit a “gold star shaped ornament” is worn.
The Acehnese women wear the yellow or red blouse with gold embroider on the front of the blouse and at the edge of the sleeves, they also wear black embroidered trousers and sarong. With a silk fabric decorated with gold or silver thread and held in place by a wide gold belt. The head is adorned with an array of golden flowers, necklaces cascading from the neck to the waist. The arm is covered with several bracelets and the fingers are full of golden rings.
FOOD AND BEVERAGES
Acehnese food, as in all of Indonesia, is rich, varied and spicy. In the towns you also easiliy find other foods such as Chinese, European and many different Indonesian cuisines. Especially common are the Minangkabau restaurants. The outlets vary from big hotel restaurants to small street stalls. In the countryside you will never be without rice, noodles, vegetables and a wide range of traditional cakes. Almost everywhere you will find the popular dish “Martabak” (a kind of oriental omelet). Basically the Acehnese eat rice, boiled, steamed or fried with several side dishes such as vegetables, fish, beef, chicken, chili sauce, melinjo” crackers and “pecal” (similar to Gado-Gado).Normally, it is spicy, so ask before you order if you not are used to lots of chilies- Don’t miss “Rujak Aceh”, a spicy fruit salad. In many restaurants and locally you will often find specialties, like tiger, shrimps, gigantic crabs, mutton and much more, cooked in traditional style. In Aceh marijuana (ganja) is used traditional in cooking in order to make the meat tender (Not for intoxication).
ACEHNESE HOUSES
A typical Acehnese village is located in the center of its surrounding orchards, hidden by trees for shade and coolness. Houses were traditionally built with cords of pegs fitted into holes and held in place by wedges. The house is built on 16, 20 or 24 sturdy pillars, 6-8 ft above the ground providing space for air circulation and for people to move about comfortably. The house is composed of five divisions (rueng). The pillars are made of dark brown hard wood (merbau) especially grown for the purpose. The whole trunk section is used, 12 ft in length. The walls are constructed of the softer meranti tree or of bamboo. The floor is in two levels with the middle section about 30 cm higher than the sections on the side. The roof is made of sago palm leaves.
A staircase leads up through the floor to the living quarters. The first room, which stretches along the entire length of the house, is called “seuramo keu”. It is used for male guests, religious feasts and for meetings and discussions. It is the least private room and is known as the men’s area- In the middle of the house in the higher section is the “tambaf-hafi” and the “rumoh inong-room”. Behind that the “seuramo Iikot”-room and in the far back on a lower level, the “dapu” (kitchen). The “rumoh inong”- (the women’s sleeping room) is the core of the Acehnese house and considered the women’s area. It is here where children are delivered and elders pass away and are mourned “Seuramo Likot” is the communal area of the house where women raise children, sew, weave mats and chat along chewing ‘betel nuts.
The traditional house is always built in the direction of Mecca. The construction always begins with a “peusijuk” (cooling ceremony). The four main stilts are the laid horizontally and red and white pieces of cloth are inserted at the top of each. The four stilts represent two females and two males, i.e. all the inhabitants of the house. Red symbolizes bravery and white symbolizes purity. The stilts are sprinkled with rice water and prayers are read. After this blessing of the stilts, they are raised and the construction can proceed.
The house is normally richly ornamented. Where the roof and wall meet, an ornamented triangular wall is used (tulak angen). Other deco- rations occur on windows, window frames, roof beams, inner dividing panels, the two outer beams of the staircases and the “skirt” around the base of the walls. The motifs used are in the form of symmetrically repeated spirals, stylized floral patterns, crosses, squares, triangles “and diamonds. If a central motif is used, it is normally a crescent with star or a pattern of stars.
HANDICRAFTS
Acehnese has many specific handicrafts; the main coastal crafts are gold embroidery, silk weaving, dagger production and wood tracery. The highland crafts (Gayo and Alas) are well known with multicolored embroidery. Pottery is found in both areas, it very different in both style and usage, although its produced in the villages but it can be found on sale in towns.
Gold Thread Embroidery
Acehnese gold thread embroidery is a kind of couching work using two kinds of threads. On is traditionally a valuable silk thread or metallic thread, but now normally a synthetic gold thread with a cotton core. The other thread is colored cotton used along the lines of the design. “Padded cousing”, with cardboard as filling, is sometimes used in order to create a three dimensional effect. The gold thread embroidery is used for decoration of reception rooms at wedding, and for mats, bed covers, pillow cases, wall decorations, fans and so forth.
Silk Weaving
As early in the 10th to the 11th century during the sung dynasty in China, silk weaving was mentioned as important product of Pidie. Pidie silk weaving was exported to India until the 16th century and reported as of higher quality and price than the Indian equivalent.
Jewelry
The oldest records of Acehnese goldsmiths’ dates back to the period between the 13h and 15’s century during this period the Samudera Pasai Kingdom used gold coins. Later, Sultan Iskandar Muda engaged three hundreds goldsmiths at his palace in Banda Aceh to produce high quality art work in gold for the royal court. Fondness for gold is still strong in Aceh and it is easy to find interesting gold works with traditional designs, such as “cucok sanggoi” (a bouquet of floral pins), “klah takue” (wide and stiff choker), “keutab Ihee lapeh (three tiered necklace), “teurapai bajee” (gold collar), “deureuham” (gold coins resembling blooming flowers merging around the bead), “enteuk” (gold coins to hold “deureuham”), “gleung jaro” (large bracelet), “gleung gaki” (large ankle bracelet), and “talo keuieng” (wide gold belt).
Reed Plaiting
This is an activity for the women in Aceh Tenggara (Southeast Aceh) when no other work has to be done. The raw material used is pandan, cike or kertan. Prior to use, the material has to be dried in the sun and hung up inside the house. Some of it is colored maroon, green, yellow and black. Examples of finished products are decorated mats, rectangular bags, fans and wall hangings.
ACHENESE BLADES
Rencong
The rencong is the most popular of the classic Acehnese dagger it became famous during the Acehnese war. Today it functions as a detail of the Acehnese traditional dress and maybe the most popular souvenir. The blades are made Out of metal and the hilts and scabbards normally out of ivory, wood or buffalo horn. Even silver or gold is sometimes used Stainless steel is used when combined with buffalo horn. Brass is used in combination with scented wood and ivory. The shape of the rencong is derived from the invocation of the Arabic “Bismillahirrahmanirrahim” (in the name of Allah, the merciful and compassionate). The form of the components of the rencong is similar to the Arabic letters in Bismillah.
Siwah
The sultan and men of substantial wealth normally use siwah as a ceremonial dagger. Some siwahs have straighter blades than the rencong.
Peudeung
Another popular degger during the wars was Peudeung, it is a kind of long sword. The history of the peudeung can be traced back to the 16th century. Every Peudeung was named after the form of its hilt. For example hilt like a cat trail, hilt like a crocodile mouth, hilt like a deer horn, hilt like a horse leg and hilt like a duck rumen.
MUSIC INSTRUMENTS
The Acehnese popular music is Surune Kalee which is a single reed wood wind with one hole in the back and seven In the front. There are various kinds of bamboo flutes, such as buloh peurindu, bansi and suling. Gongs are made of brass or dried goat skin and are sounded with padded Wood hammers. They come in three sizes and are called gong”, “canang” and “mong-mong”. The “rapa-ii” is a tambourine made of goat skin. The “Rapaii Pasai”, for example, was introduced by the Samudera Pasai Kingdom as an instrument to call its citizen to gather. The “Tak-Tok” is made of bamboo and is very similar to the Javanese angklung. The players of traditional instruments are usually men, while women sing and play tambourines. A traditional band consists of a leader, four or five players and one or two boy sopranos.
DANCES
Dances were normally used as entertainment for the sultans and their guests after working hard in the fields. Today dances are mostly performed at special government functions, but in many areas local dancing traditions and groups carry on the heritage. Each region of Aceh has its own version of the dances or its own indigenous ones. The costumes used are basically long sleeved top and sarongs wrapped around the waist and colors are often brilliant. Women usually wear head pieces, but the use of jewelry depends on the aspect of life that is depicted by the dance. The Acehnese dances all have certain characteristics in common. Islamic values are often spread in Aceh through the dances. The dances deal with daily social activities.
All Acehnese dances are performed by a group and are dynamic with stepping feet, beating of chests, hips and shoulders. Starting slowly the rhythm increases during the dance. Songs and poems are always recited by the dancers themselves. Some of the more popular dances are;
Ranub Lam Puan
Ranub” is Acehnesé for betel leaf. It is traditionally used for chewing after meals and is served as a way of showing respect to the guests. “Serving betel leaf to the guests” as a dance has become a popular way of welcoming prominent guests to Aceh and also at opening ceremonies. Nine women perform to the music from the “seurunee kalee” instrument. At the end of the dance, the performers offer sirih” (betel) to the guests who are supposed to receive it. However no one is forced to chew it.
Peumulia Jamee
A similar dance to the ranub lampuan is the peumulia jamee. The difference is that the betel is omitted and the music makes one imagine exotic arabian nights and a song is sung, starting with the Arabic greeting “Assalamu’alaikum”
Seudati
Seudati is one of the popular dances in Nort Aceh. The number of dancer are 8 in a group and they are led by a dancer called “Syech” and asisted by two other players called “Apet Syech” who pinched on the right and left side of the syech. This dance is helped by two singers to escort the dancing.
There are two kinds of seudati namely;
Seudati Inong is a kind of seudati that danced by young ladies wearing bright costums.
Seudati Agam is a kind of seudati that is danced by men.
Rapa-ii Geleng.
Rapa-ii is a kind of specific tambourine which is usually used to accompany a song or a dance.. Playing rapa-ii has been developed and accompanied by songs any many kinds of beautiful movements; this has pushed the appearance of a new dance called “rapa-ii geleng”.
This dance has 11 to 20 men dancing, each playing a small rapa-ii (tambourine). While playing the rapa-ii and singing many songs, they make many kinds of movement i.e. hands, head, etc. The movements are almost the same as it is in the saman dance, but because of the using of “rapa-ii” this dance is very enjoyable.There are many more of other arts like; Ratoh, Dang Deria, and Dendang Singkil not mentioned.
Tarek Pukat
Tarek pukat dance depicts the life of the fisher men in the coastal areas. This includes making nets, rowing boats, catching fish and pulling the net which actually is the meaning of “Tarek pukat”. The dance is cheerful, dynamic and accompanied by song or istrument. Each dancer has a rope and during the dance these ropes are woven into a net.
Marhaban
This dance was normally only used for the celebration of the birthday of the prophet Muhammad SAW. but due to its popularity has begun to appear also on other occasions. There are 20 performers, 10 women and 10 men, accompanied by special tamborines. The dance is often followed by prayers to the prophet.
Lansir Madam.
Lansir Madam is an odd remnant from the colonial era, and can be described as a “Dutch Square dance”.
Saman
“Saman” is the most popular dance in Aceh and the dance that has become well-known abroad with the name “Thousand hands”. It has its origin from the Alas ethnic group and is normally performed to celebrate the birthday of the prophet Muhammad SAW, and other important occasions. Eight to twenty male performers knee in a row on the floor and make different kinds of movements accompanied by songs, clapping hands, slapping chests, slapping hand on the floor, etc. The songs are praises to Allah or prayers, the dance starts with slow movements and increases its tempo gradually to a great speed and finally comes to a sudden stop, There are many different regional versions of “Saman”.
Meuseukat
“Meuseukat” is almost the same as “Saman. The only difference is that “Meuseukat” is performed by women and originates in west and South Aceh.
Pho
The word “pho” derives from “peubae pho”. “Peubae” means weeping and “pho” is an honorable indicator. The dance was developed from the old dance “bineuh” and originated in the 16”’ century is South Aceh, It was originally performed at the death of a sultan or a noble man as an expression of loss and sadness. Over the years it has started to appear in the “manoe pucok” ceremony (“bathe” and “new bud” respectively) in the days before a wedding when the bride is bathed. During this ceremony the bride is seated in full traditional attire and accompanied by her parents. After a “peusijuk” (a cooling ceremony) the dancers appear. They are led by a “syeh” who produces songs that describe the life of the bride from birth until marriage. It is about how much the parents have done, how much they have spent on her and how they have taken care of her. Now the moment of departure has come and the bride will leave her parent’s for a new life with her husband as wife and mother. The newlyweds are also blessed and wished a prosperous future. The songs are often so sad that not only the bride and parent, but also the participants, sob together.
Perang Sabil
“Perang Sabil” is a new creation, composed in order to cornmemorate the wars against foreign invaders. This very dynamic dance, accompanied by music, is performed by 8 women and 8 men. The women carrying rencong and the men swords (Peudeung), The dancers describe how the rencongs and the peudeung is used in a real war and the dance itself can be hurtful enough if a dancer loses his concentration.
Bines
“Bines” comes from the Alas people and is developed from the folk tale “odeni maleleng’. This tale tells us about the fate of a young woman committing adultery and punished by her own village people with death. The mother of the girl walks crying around the body of the girl, lying on the leather pad. The dance describes the grief of the mother and a sad song in local language accompanies the movements.
Didong
“Didong” is the most popular Gayo dance, and dance groups of 2 to 40 men and women compete in different aspects of the dance such as song, movement and voice. It can be performed at any kind of occasion.
Ula-Ula Lembing
A dance strongly influence by Malay traditions and very popular in East Aceh. It is performed by four couples in traditional Malay attire.
Aloe Tunang
Originally dance for the start of the harvest that depicts traditional rice milling. Performe by four couples moving beautifully to the music from “serunee kalee”. They carry “lesung” (rice mortar) and “aIu’ (pestle) 2 to 3 meters long.
ECONOMY
Aceh has a good land to develop economic program. Over 80% of the population of Aceh is involved in agriculture, 4.22% of the land is designated for agriculture, 2.25% for plantations, 3.30% for grass fields, lake and rivers covers 6.58%, towns and villages covers 0,99% and the rest of Aceh, 74.56% is covered by forests. The main agricultural product is rice with a production of around 1.100.000 tons per year. Other important products are; peanuts 18.825 tons, green peas 5.841 tons, soya beans 118.157 tons, maize 22.240 tons, cassava 111.577 tons, sweet potatoes 25.215 tons, cocoa 118 tons, clove 6.219 tons, nutmeg 2.809 tons, pepper 33 tons, and betel nut 6.670 tons.
Aceh has a long coast line and the fishing industry is important. The main agricultural export commodities are rubber, coffee, copra, palm kernels and wood.
Other natural resources are oil and gas, but also cement, gypsum, coal, iron, lead, zinc, gold and copper. The oil and gas field of Aceh have a great impact on the whole of the Indonesian economy.
GOVERNMENT
Aceh with a total area of 5.736.557 Ha consists of 18 regencies; Aceh Besar, Pidie, Pidie Jaya, Aceh Utara, Bireun, Aceh Timur, Aceh Tamiang, Aceh Tengah, Bener Meriah, Gayo Lues, Aceh Tenggara, Nagan Raya, Aceh Barat, Aceh Barat Daya, Aceh Selatan, Aceh Singkil, Simeulu, Aceh Jaya and five municipalities Banda Aceh, Lhokseumawe, Langsa, Subulussalam and Sabang.
The smallest level of government administration is the village, which is commonly known in Aceh as “gampong”. Each gampong has a leader called “keuchik”. The keuchik is assisted by tuha Peut or four old and highly respected assistants. Representing the community, and by a ‘Teungku Meunasah” or “Teungku Imum”, a religious leader. In each gampong there is a building called “meunasah” functioning as the gampong administration center, religious services education hall, discussion center and meeting place for other issues of public interest.
TRANSPORTATION
Land Transportation
Land transportation in the Special Province of Aceh is in much better condition than previous years. Although, there are several parts of the region that are still in isolation such as, Lokop, Blangkeujeuren, Singkil and others, the roads leading to these parts of the region are in the process of construction.
All existing roads in 1990 have a total length of 10,832.53 kilometers of state roads, 1,580.90 kilometers of provincial roads, and 8,278.03 kilometers of regencies/municipal roads. In addition, 584.3 kilometers of state roads and bridges connecting Banda Aceh to the border of the North Sumatra Province (the northern and eastern coastal areas of Aceh are already in good condition.
Most of the state roads and bridges along the western and southern coastal areas are also in good condition, and all crossing rafts along Banda Aceh to Meulaboh and TapakTuan routes have been replaced by concrete bridges.
Sea Transportation
Aceh has 11 seaports, 5 in the southwest coastal area and 6 in the northeast coastal areas, and they are in good condition. Also, there are special harbors owned by PT. SAI in Lhok Nga for cement transportation (was destroyed with tsunami and this harbors rebuild with Lafarge France), PT. AAF in Krueng Geukueh for fertilizer, Mobil Oil, Inc. for heavy tools, and PT. Arun NGL for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and others used for timber harvesting.
Most of the harbors in Aceh are for the loading and unloading of goods from non regular ships. Previously, the regular’routes was served by:
- Ferry Navigation, connecting Ulee lheu – Sabang, Ulee lheu – Pulo Aceh and Meulaboh - sinabang.
- Cargo Ship from Malahayati to another city in Idonesia
Air Transportation
Air transportation in Aceh is in good condition. In Aceh today there are 6 airports. The bigest is Blang Bintang Airport or Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport which located 16 kilometres from the capital city, Banda Aceh. Garuda serves the routes from Blang Bintang-Polonia-Sukarno Hatta, and Blang Bintang-King Abdul Azis (Jedah) special for Jama’ah Haji in each year.
TRAVEL DURING THE FASTING MONTH.
In the Ramadhan (the Moslem fasting month) gives traveling a new dimension for a non muslim tourists. During this month basically all restaurants and food stalls are closed between sunrise and sunset. While fasting, not Only food, drink and cigarettes are avoided, but also bad thoughts, lies and unethical behaviors. The Ramadhan is a cleansing period for both the body and the soul. If you need to eat, drink, or smoke, do not do it in public, do it in your room, or find one of the few restaurants with their back door open. You have to ask around in order to find one, and it is smarter to ask in a Chinese shop. In more touristy areas food is normally served to foreigners. The best alternative though, is to take part in the fasting and enjoy the good feeling in body and Soul.
HOW TO BEHAVE
The people of Aceh are not very used to foreigners, but love to see come, their tradition and religion are very strong and they very much appreciate visitors that respect their way of life. Small changes western behavior can make a big difference, adding to the enjoyment of your trip. Here are some tips for you how to behave and low to react to local behavior that westerners can find impolite, many of these are the same as in the rest of Indonesia.
Non-verbal Communication
Placing hands on the hips, even casually, Is a sign of anger or arrogance, The index finger is used to point at things and the whole it hand with open palm is used for gestures to a person, The soles of land shoes are considered dirty it is rude to place one’s feet in a way that the soles are facing another person. Don’t point at things with your feet, it is very rude. Don’t throw things to anyone; It is more polite to hand it over directly, even if it involves moving yourself a bit. Men touching men and women touching women are common and completely normal; but, touching between the sexes is rarely done in public.
On The Beach
The Acehnese are very prudish and nudity is not in line with religious, beliefs. Western style swimsuits are considered outrageous, near villages and when locals are around, please be modest. Use shorts I when swimming. Women are better off using a T-shirt also. As long as anyone doesn’t have to see you, you are of course free. You can always ask a local if you are unsure.
Visiting
When visiting an Acehnese home, don’t forget to take off your shoes, You will always be offered a drink, often coffee, it is polite to wait until the world “silahkan” (please) is said by the host. Visitors are usually asked if they have had food already (sudah makan?). The polite answer is yes (“sudah”), However, if a meal is spontaneously presented, it is impolite to refuse it. When you leave it is very polite to say thanks to the wife, even if she spent the whole time in the kitchen, void visiting an Acehnese home at prayer times. If only a single woman is at home, one is expected to politely turn down an invitation to come in. When receive and give things, always use your right hand, however inconvenient it can be at times. Use only the right hand to eat food, when eating with fingers, clean them in the water bowl specially, for this purpose. After the meal wait until everyone has finished eating before you wash your hand, if you are using a spoon and fork, leave them with backside up as a sign that you have had enough. Leaving some liquid in the glass is a sign that you don’t want any more.
In The Street
In Aceh you will be treated according to how you dress. Especially in the countryside it is recommended not to use too short of shorts and at least a T-shirt. Women are better off not using shorts and not to show too much of their shoulders. As long as no one “has” to see you, dressing is 100% up to you.
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