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.
Filed under: Aceh at a Glance by turky
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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 : (more…)
Filed under: Aceh at a Glance by turky
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As indictments may likely be prepared for the two accused antigraft figures, one of them said a trial was welcome to prove their innocence.
Deputies of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Bibit Samad Rianto and Chandra M. Hamzah, are both charged with extortion, bribery and abuse of power, while investigating businessmen for alleged graft, in return for stopping their investigations.
A Presidential fact-finding team reported indications of “fabrication” in the police investigation against both men, and urged that the charges be dropped. (more…)
Filed under: In Our Country by turky
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During the era of Alexandre the Great, Sumatera seamen had regularly visited Indian harbours. Also recorded was a certain man from Sumatera paid a visit to the Roman empire, Cladius. And according to the account of Idrisi, Acehnese seamen had landed and settled down in Madagascar in 10th century. Taking into considerations the ability of the highly skilled Acehnese seamen in sailing through the vast ocean and also the strategic location of Aceh, we may assume that at the earliest stages of’globalization’, Acehnese seamen did introduce Nusantara (i.e. Indonesia) to the world by visiting the Middle East,Africa, Asia Minor, and Italy.
In his book “Geographike Uplehesis” or “Golden Cherenoses” Ptolomeus noted in his world map that easternmost island was Yabadiou which sounds almost identical with Yawadwipa.
In volume 7, he pointed out that the port of Yabadiou, called Argyre or Kota Perak, was situated in the westernmost of the island of Yabadiou, the soil was fertile, and it produced gold… It definitely refered to Banda Aceh, because in those days this city harbour had become a crowded entrepot.
Filed under: Aceh at a Glance by turky
Tags: « argyre - cherenoses - Geographike - uplehesis - yabadiou »
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No one can tell exactly, let alone scientifically, the origin of the name “Aceh”;even Acehnese language lacks any word which sounds like nor bears any implication to the meaning of “Aceh”. Although not supported by evidence, there is a folk-lore which is quite popular among the people on the origin of “Aceh”.
…in search of her little sister, an Indian princess arrived in Sumatera island. She found her there and told the local people that the girl was her ACI or her little sister. Since the people were fond her and behaved well, they made her their queen, and the area where they lived was then called ACI…
Van Langen said the origin of the name Aceh is ACA or ATCA, an Indian word meaning “beautiful’.
Filed under: Aceh at a Glance by turky
Tags: « ACA - ACI - ATCA - origin name »
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Regional cultures are the source of national culture. Therefore, any measures to preserve and improve the regional cultures should be initiated from the supporting elements.
As the logical consequences of Aceh’s strategic location in Malaka Straits, inter-relations with foreign people and cultures are unavoidable. When Islam has been fully accepted in Acehnese life, however, the openness to foreign elements are selective and strictly conditioned by one prerequisite: “provided they (the foreign elements) are not in contradiction with the Devine laws and codes of Islam applicable to human life”. This is the basic foundation of Acehnese moral obligation and at the same time becomes the moral objectives in the development efforts of this region.
(more…)
Filed under: Aceh at a Glance by turky
Tags: « Enchanting Cultures - Perang Sabih - Sihitam »
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