Weapons

“Rencong”, like “keris” in Jawa, and “kujang” in West Jawa, is a traditional weapon. It is a combination of metallurgy, the skill of a master craftsman, and arts. Verses from Al Qur’an engraved on the blade of this small dagger, will increase one’s self-confidence. In the “siwah”-type rencong, the hilt is not curved, slightly longer, and generally used by the kings or district chiefs (“hulubalang”).

Certain swords are knows as ”pedang daun tebu”, ”oon ngom”, and “reudeuh”.

Fine Arts

The Acehnese are acquainted with the arts of decoration, handicraft, architecture, and weaving although their developments are virtually slow. ”Rumoh Aceh” (Aceh House), whose basic form is a square supported with four or more pillars, is essentially the end result of a final stage after centuries of undergoing changes.

The arts carving and writing are centered around calligraphy. No human nor animal forms in Acehnese painting and carving, since it is forbidden in Islam to draw, carve and sculpt human being and animal.

Traditional paintings and drama (theatre) did not exist.

Traditional Dances

The characteristic of Acehnese traditional dances:

- Islamic

- At early stages, it was intended for ritual purposes only, not for public

- A harmonious combination of dance, music and literature

- Performed in groups but within a limited space

- Repetitious and monotonous physical movements

- It takes a long time to perform.

Today Acehnese dances can be enjoyed by the public and have incorporated aesthetic elements as well.

Out of 52 traditional dances recorded in 1981, there are two most popular dances domestically and in foreign countries:”seudati” and “saman”(originated from Gayo Luwes). The former is also known as the”one thousand hand dance”. In addition to traditional and religious backgrounds there are also dances based on myths and legends of pre-Islam era, such as “Pho”dance in South Aceh, and “Bines” dances in Central Aceh.

Seudati, in which the influence of the Middle East cultre is strong. There are two kinds of “Seudati”: “seudati Agam” (performed by men), and Seudati Inong (performed by women).

Saman, a dance performed by a number of dancers while sitting a row. The verses recited contains messages on good deeds. It is originated from Southeast Aceh and bears similarities with”Didong” of Central Aceh. Ramphak describes the heroism of female fighters during the Dutch Colonial War. Rapa’I is always accompanied with the sound of a large tambourine and with “zikir” words or sentences praising Allah or the Prophet uttered repeatedly). The most well-known “rapa’I” is a combination between”rapa’I” and saman called “Rapa’I Geleng”.

GAMES

Natural environment and social-cultural conditions are factors establishing the types of the game played or performed by the people. But one thing is obvious: the absence of woman if the game or performance is shown in public.

Since Alas people live along Alas river, games are also played on the riversides, such as “sepangkal” and “king-kingan”. “Sepak raga” is a kind of football. Top spinning, known as “gasing”, is often contested. “Meukrueng krueng” is a popular martial art.

“Daboih”, originated from the Arabic word “dabbus” is a ritual display of physical invulnerability. While dancing, seemingly to be in trance, the performers stab theirs necks, thighs, hit their heads, etc. eith knives,”rencong”(small dagger), or any other sharp materials. Sometimes a burnt metal chain is also used. The dance is normally accompanied with the sound of “Rapa’I Daboih”, a sort of tambourine.

ELEMENTS IN GAYO ARTS

Song, declamations, and riddles are dominant in Gayo literature. Architecture, carvings, and decorations are not conspicuous.

As regards music, Gayo people have created some instruments. “Teganing” is made from piece of bamboo and the strings are made by prying its skins. The sound is produced by hitting the strings with a sliced bamboo. The opposite side of the musical instrument serves as a drum. “Canang” is a set of musical instruments played by one player. Wind instruments include “genggong”, “bensi”, “serune”, flute and “gamang” (or harmonica).

In literature there are riddles, proses, traditional poetry, and “sebuku”. “Sebuku” is the expression of one’s feelings in the form of poems sung by a woman in special occasions, such as before the burial of the deceased.

The most popular of all traditional form in poetry is “didong”. It is a combination of music, dance and literature (poem). A group of youngsters (originally only male youngsters were allowed) consisting of 30 people compete with other group. They sit in a circle with their legs crossed. Each group has to answer, or to react against, a poem sung by the opponent. The answer or reaction should also be in a poem. The verses recited contains any information the people are expected to know or a social criticism.

At a glance, “didong” looks like “seudati” clapping of the hands perfomed uniformly accompanied with verses recited by a “ceh” who maintains the dynamics of the performance. The rhyme and contents of the poems are composed then and there. “Didong” is classified into the art of music.

“Sa’er” is a poem delivered by one person. The theme is religious.

Languages and Writing System

Almost all Acehnese are bilingual, since they are able to communicate fluently in both Indonesian language and their own mother tongues which, from the linguistic point of view, are classified into the Austronesian family. Some of the most common local languages are Aceh language (majority), Aneuk Jamee language (Part of South Aceh), Gayo language (Central, Southeast, and East Aceh), Alas language (Southeast Aceh), Tamiang language ( east of East Aceh), Simeuleu language (Simeuleu island), and Klut language (Klu ethnic group in South Aceh).

Each local language can be further subdivided into dialects. Aceh language, for instance, is spoken with slight differences in Aceh Besar, in Pidie, and in North Aceh. Similarly, in Gayo language there are Gayo Lut, Gayo Deret, and Gayo Lues dialects.

Local languages had been written in Malay Arabic writing system since the introduction of Islam. Latin-based writing system is now getting more popular and widely used.

Tales and Stories in the History of Aceh

Tales and Stories are called”hikayat”. They are rhythmical verses describing historical events, factual or imaginary stories. Whatever they may be, one thing is obvious, that is they always contain religious messages or teachings from Alquran and Hadits (the behaviours and utterances or expressions of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w). The original texts of hikayats are written in Arabic and many did not mention the authors.

The most popular hikayat is “Hikayat Perang Sabih” (The Story of the Holy War). Aceh literature experts have made a comprehensive study on this particular Hikayat and come to the conclusion that the author was Teungku Cik Pante Kulu, a close friend of Tengku Cik Di Tiro. It had played an extremely significant part in inciting the people’s spirits to join the holy war againt the Dutch which took place for 7 decades. It also called a “war poem” recited to stimulate the people’s fighting spirits. It was so effective that the Dutch government banned its recitation in public and confiscated any documents related to the hikayat.

“Hikayat Perang Sabih” contains four stories, they are :

1. The Story of Ainul Mardliyah

2. The Story of the Elephant War

3. The Story of Sa’id Salmy, and

4. The Story of Muhammad Amin.

Some of the characters are fictious, like in The Story of Ainul Mardliyah. It describes an imaginary situation – but still based on Al Quran and Hadits –when the Prophet moved the center of his activities from Mekah to Medinah. The story carries a parable as can be seen in the final part :

All messages have been passed on,

And Allah Knows everything

The story contain examples,

To step up a holy war.

Understand the examples my dear brothers,

And to all youngsters: Listen

Do not be afraid to take part in the war

Oh, ye the noble, the umbrella of the land