Daerah Istimewa Nanggroe

Aceh Darussalam

ACEH is a special region (daerah istimewa) of Indonesia, located on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra, which are most famous throughout for their resistance to outside powers.

Aceh is often called "Serambi Mekkah" (The Verandah of Mecca) where it is thought where Islam was first established

in Southeast Asia. Even though the Acehnese are very strong believers and often called fanatics by other

Indonesian. They are very open minded and understanding towards other people's religious needs. Churches and

temples are always found in towns of Aceh.

Aceh has a lot of potential cultures which are basically colored by Islamic religion. These major ethnic groups in Aceh; Acehnese (distributed throughout Aceh, most numerous), Gayo (in central and eastern part), Alas (in southeastern), Tamiang (in Aceh Tamiang Regency), Aneuk Jamee (descendant from Minangkabau, concentrated in southern and southwestern), Kluet (in South Aceh), and Simeulue (on Simeulue Island).

Arab, Chinese, European and Indian influences were the dominant foreign factors that helped shape modern Aceh, and according to sources, the impact was nor only cultural and sociological in nature, but also racial. However, in west and south Aceh, they intermingled with west Sumatra, which reflected in language, design and customs.

Traditionally, males are directed outwardly towards the world of trade. In the practice of merantau--going abroad or away from one's birthplace--young adult males leave

their homelands for a time to seek their fortune, experience, and reputation through commerce. This

maturation process among males is viewed as growing out of the domestic female-dominated world of sensory

indulgence and into the male world of reasoned rationality, whose practice is expressed through trade.

This oscillating pattern of migration encountered some difficulties in the 1980s as increasing numbers of men failed to return to the Acehnese homeland, but instead

remained and married in remote locations, such as Jakarta and Kalimantan.

Myth

Sabang, Visitors, tourists and

newcomers to Sabang are not allowed to consume coconut as they are said to cause the consumer to catch Malaria. So anyone who wants to try the coconut would have to stay there for weeks prior first .

Ritual

Mameugang

A little different to other regions, the atmosphere during near puasa Ramadhan in Aceh is more like facing Hari Raya. Mameugang is a slaughtering tradition and eating the beef that happens for 2 days on 3 times a year:

1.  Before bulan Ramadhan 2.  Before Lebaran Idul Fitri 3.  Before Lebaran Idul Adha

They bought meat to supply their beginning of Ramadhan and the demand could be so high that caused the meat price in Aceh the highest among Indonesia.

Ritual

Also in Mameugang, offices and neighborhoods are busied by activities of cleaning the houses and environment especially mosques. Some even visit relatives or family also to cemeteries. This impact the increased traffic of public and private transport such as at the bus station and the ferry wharf at Aceh.

Fashion

Aceh’s traditional attire are specified by the golden thread embroideries on black backgrounds. It can be found of the bajee (clothes) meukasah, sarung songket pinggang that is worn by male and female (ija pinggang), in detail decorations of chest, hip and hands

Baju Melayu Cekak Musang is standard traditional Acehnese clothing for men includes: 1. Full cut black trousers, 2. A black top with long-narrow sleeves with one button at the neck. 3. A silk cloth (kain songket) is bounded around the waist, 4. Rencong tucked into the belt. 5. On the head is a kupiah meukeutob

Baju Puteri Perak also called Baju Adat Aceh is the traditional attire for women. 1. Gold embroidered, black trousers which are

narrow at the ankle and very broad at the waist. 2. Embroidered blouse, usually is yellow, green or

red in color. 3. A silk sarong (kain songket) decorated with gold

or silver thread. 4. A large gold belt. 5. On the head is adorned with an array of golden

called Bungong Ok and Patam Dho or Kulah Kama.

6. Necklaces cascade from the neck to the waist. 7. The arms are adorned with many bracelets, and

the fingers with rings.

WEDDING ATTIRE

Linto baro, the male groom in the traditional marriage wore a closed 5-buttoned up suit. Or an open suit jacket called “baju”

Dara baro, the bride wore various gold accessories in the head, chest, hands and hips that is influenced by Minangkabau, India, Arab and China.

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