Gayo The Ethnic Group and Its Arts
The Gayo ethnic group is discussed exclusively here, because they have preserved certain cultural elements which do not exist in other ethnic group. However, a brief description on their ethnic background is worthwhile to enable us to appreciate their culture more appropriately.
Regionally, Gayo can be devided into four sub-ethnic-groups: “Gayo Laut Tawar” (around Laut Tawar lake), “Gayo Linge” (around Linge Isaq), “Gayo Serbejadi” (in Serbejadi), and “Alas (Alas area).
Gayo and Alas are all moslems. Mosques and “musholla” can be found in almost every corner of the areas they live.
Population growth rate of Gayo and Alas is relatively fast: in 1920 they represented 7.09 percent of total population in Aceh; in 1961: 10,53 percent, and in 1971: 11.59 percent. In the past they subsited on agriculture, forest products, and cattle breeding. They are experts in handicrafts and metal works, widely known as excellent coffee and tobacco growers. They have been familiar with Arabic, spoken and written, long before they knew Indonesian language.
Gayo’s have their own culture, language and tradition are different from other ethnic groups.
Before the Dutch invasion in1873, it was believed that there was a kingdom called Linge Kingdom located in Gayo Linge and eight “kejurun”, or administrative units headed by“kejurun”. The king and the kejurun are functionaries of local customs and traditions assisted by an “imam’. In his studies on the system of administration in Gayo, Snouck Horgrounye said that “the administration system is a patriarchal republic inclusive of small republics. The king is the president of the small republics.” The link with Aceh kingdom is restricted to general affairs, like joint efforts to fight against the Dutch. A similar system is also applicable in Alas areas.
Gayo and Alas were the final fortresses during the Aceh war. Members of the two ethnic groups took active parts in almost all battlefields throughout Aceh. The Gayo Commander in Chief, Tengku Tapa, was killed in Pase, North Aceh, after he lead several battles in East Aceh. Snouck Horgronye called him”a remarkable man”because of his outstanding mastery in guerilla warfare.
