Aceh
which was previously known by the name of the Special Region of Aceh
(1959-2001) and Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (2001-2009) is the westernmost
province in Indonesia. Aceh has the autonomy to set its own, unlike most
other provinces in Indonesia, for historical reasons. This area is
bordered by the Bay of Bengal in the north, the Indian Ocean to the
west, the Strait of Malacca in the east, and North Sumatra in southeast
and south.
The
capital of Aceh is Banda Aceh. Its port is Malahayati-Krueng Raya, Ulee
Lheue, Sabang, Lhokseumawe and Langsa. Aceh is the region worst hit by
the earthquake and tsunami of 26 December 2004. Some places on the coast
disappear altogether. The hardest is Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar, Aceh Jaya,
Aceh Barat, Singkil and Simeulue.
Aceh
has a wealth of natural resources such as petroleum and natural gas.
Natural Resources is located in North Aceh and East Aceh. Aceh is also
famous for its forest resources, which is located along the Bukit
Barisan range, from Kutacane, Aceh Tenggara, Seulawah, Aceh Besar, until
Ulu Masen in Aceh Jaya. A national park, namely Mount Leuser National
Park is also available in the Southeast Aceh.
Baiturrahman Masjid
In
the days of the Sultan Iskandar Muda Meukuta Perkasa Alam, Aceh is a
country very rich and prosperous. According to a French explorer who
arrived in Aceh in the heyday of the era, the power reaching the west
coast of Aceh, Minangkabau up to Silver. Sultanate of Aceh have
established relationships with the kingdoms of the West in the 16th
century, including Britain, the Ottomans, and the Netherlands.
Aceh
Sultanate involved a prolonged power struggle since the beginning of
the 16th century, first by Portugal, and since the 18th century with the
United Kingdom (UK) and the Netherlands. At the end of the 18th
century, Aceh was forced to hand over territory in Kedah and Pulau
Pinang in Malay Peninsula to Great Britain.
Saman Dance
In
1824, the British-Dutch Agreement was signed, in which Britain handed
over its territory on Sumatra to the Dutch. Britain Party claim that
Aceh was their colony, although this is not true. In 1871, Britain
allowed the Dutch to colonize Aceh, possibly to prevent France from
gaining power in the region.
Arts and Culture
Aceh
is a region that is rich with culture and art rule looks other parts of
Indonesia. Aceh has a distinctive variety of cultural arts such as
dance, and other cultures such as:
- Didong (performing arts from the public Gayo)
- Meuseukee Eungkot (a tradition in the area of West Aceh)
- Peusijuek (or plain flour in the tradition of Malay)
- Bustanussalatin
- Hikayat Prang Sabi
- Hikayat Malem Diwa
- Legend Amat Rhah Manyang
- Legend Putroe Neng
- Legend Magasang and Magaseueng
Rencong
is the traditional weapon of Aceh, its shape resembles the letter L,
and if you look closer its shape was writing bismillah calligraphy.
Rencong included in the category of dagger or knife (not a knife or
sword).
Besides rencong, the nation of Aceh also has several other unique weapons, such as siwah, geuliwang and peudeueng.
Rencong the traditional weapon of Aceh
Acehnese
traditional house called Rumoh Aceh. The traditional house-type house
on stilts with 3 main parts and an additional section. Three main parts
of Aceh is home Seuramoe keuë (front porch), Seuramoe Teungoh (porch
middle) and Seuramoe likôt (back porch). Meanwhile, an additional
section that is rumoh dapu (home kitchen).
Aceh House
Aceh
province has at least 10 ethnic groups, has a wealth of dance very much
and also very impressive. Some famous dances at the national level and
even the world is a dance that originated from Aceh, such as Dance Rateb
Meuseukat and Saman.