The Monument was erected to commemorate the heroic donation of the Acehnese to the central Government of the Republic of Indonesia became independent in 1945, the Dutch intended to reoccupy the country. In the ensuring struggle in 1949, the Republic of Indonesia was badly in need of an airplane to open the blockade of the enemy as much area had been already fallen into their hands. Mr. Soekarno, the president of the Indonesia at that time.
Urgently requested that Aceh people to donate the money for an airplane. A Douglas DC-3 was bought shortly afterwards, and paid for with Acehnese Gold. This very early plane was the precursor of Garuda Indonesia fleet, which nowadays is the biggest airline in Indonesia.
Syiah Kuala grave is another pride of Banda Aceh, which is located about 3 km to the east. It stands near the mouth of Krueng Aceh River, about 2 kilometers from the city. Syiah Kuala was one of Aceh's great Moslem Ulama of the past. He had spent more than 15 years in Mecca for religious learning before he dedicated most of his life to science and society. He had written many books on Islam, social studies, and science. He also had a lot of student coming from Malaysia, West Sumatra and Java. His grave is a shrine for local visitors and Muslims from Indonesia and Malaysia. (Mostly destroyed because of Tsunami)
The house is a replica of the heroine Cut Nyak Dhien House, from the Aceh War. The colonial forces burned down the house but a replica was built later. This house in Lam Pisang, about 6 kilometers from Banda Aceh, now is a museum. The house is located in Lampisang Village, Lhok Nga subdistrict, Greater Aceh district. Although Lhok Nga was the area worst hit by tsunami, the Tjut Nyak Dhien House survived. The daughter of a chieftain, Tjut Nyak Dhien joined the fight against the Dutch invaders in 1875. Her first husband fell in battle, and she remarried. When her second husband also died fighting, she continued the struggle with her children. After six years in the jungle, she was captured by the Dutch and exiled to West Java where she passed away in 1906. Tjut Nyak Dhien is recognized as one of the National Warriors of Indonesia.
Museum Negeri
There is a museum in Banda Aceh located near the Governor's residence. The main building of the Museum is a house built in a traditional style by the Dutch Governor Van Swart in 1914. The museum has 3 floors filled with antique weapons, gold jewelry, ceremonial costumes and household furnishings. The 'Rumah Aceh' is an excellent example of traditional architecture, built completely without nails, being held together by cord and pegs. Among the exhibits is a big clock Cakra Donya, a gift from China Emperor and brought to Aceh by the famed Admiral Cheng Ho in 1414. On the bell can be found a Chinese script, Sing Fang Niat Toeng Juut Kat, no one knows what it really means.
In 2006, Aceh's economy grew by 7.7% after having minimal growth since the devastating tsunami. This growth was primarily driven by the reconstruction effort, with massive growth in the building/construction sector.
The ending of the conflict, and the reconstruction program has resulted in the structure of the economy changing significantly since 2003. Service sectors now play a more dominant role, whilst oil and gas production continues to decline. The economy continues to rely upon depleting oil and gas production and agriculture.
After peaking at 41.5% in December 2005, inflation has continued to decline steadily and was 8.5% in June 2007, close to the national level in Indonesia of 5.7%. Persistent inflation means that Aceh’s consumer price index (CPI) remains the highest in Indonesia. As a result, Aceh’s cost competitiveness has declined as reflected in both inflation and wage data. Although inflation has slowed down, CPI has registered steady increases since the tsunami. Using 2002 as a base, Aceh’s CPI increased to 185.6 (June 2007) while the national CPI increased to 148.2. There have been relatively large nominal wage increases in particular sectors, such as construction where, on average, workers’ nominal wages have risen to almost Rp.60,000per day, from Rp.29,000 pre-tsunami. This is also reflected in Aceh’s minimum regional wage (UMR, or Upah Minimum Regional), which increased by 55% from Rp.550,000pre-tsunami to Rp.850,000 in 2007, compared with an increase of 42% in neighboring North Sumatra, from Rp.537,000 to Rp.761,000.
Poverty levels increased slightly in Aceh in 2005 after the tsunami, but by less than expected. The poverty level then fell in 2006 to below the pre-tsunami level, suggesting that the rise in tsunami-related poverty was short lived and reconstruction activities and the end of the conflict most probably facilitated this decline. However, poverty in Aceh remains significantly higher than in the rest of Indonesia and a large number of the Acehnese remain vulnerable, reinforcing the need for a smooth landing after the reconstruction boom ends.
Iboih is a small and friendly village. Its people will happily serve the tourist in any way. In a place where the tourist come one by one, the people here have retained their sense of curiosity towards westerners. Helpful guides are available to accompany the tourists to Iboih and the Sea Garden.
Iboih Recreational Forest is situated adjacent to Rubiah Sea Garden. This forest covers about 1300 hectares area and is also protected as a special nature reserve for Weh Island. This forest is a thick tropical rain forest and although it is dense a difficult to wander trough, visitors are encouraged to explore it. This are is as home to many kinds of animals. See wild monkeys, small and big reptiles and colorful birds, or try our skill at spotting the Nicobar pigeon, not found in any other part of the Indonesian archipelago. At dusk wild boars and swarms of giant fruit bastes are sure sighting. Where the road ends is a great lookout over the Indian Ocean.
In Aceh, from the early fifteenth century until Indonesian independence came in 1945, women had been given the opportunity to be leaders of the country and to participate in public life. In that times, there appeared many important women figures at the national level, either as leaders of the government or as a heroes in struggle against the Dutch colonialists. These role of women in Acehnese society largely owe to matriarchal system.
The prominent women figures in Aceh including: Admiral Keumalahajati (in the late 1500s), four queens whose successively rule from 1641-1700, and guerilla commander in Dutch Colonial War era (such as: Cut Nya' Dhien, Cut Meutia, Pocut Baren, Pocut Mirah Inteun).
During struggle for national freedom (1945-49), the women of the "Revolution of 45" in Aceh not only served as public kitchen staff and "Pasukan Bulan Sabit" (health staff), but also involved themselves actively in fighting, like "Pocut Baren Regimen."
But since the independence of Indonesia in late 1949, the condition of women in Aceh has been declining and has become not far different from the condition of women in other parts of Indonesia. It may be assumed that Acehnese women's position has marginalize under Indonesia paternalistic tradition.
During 1970s, under agreement with Indonesian central government, American oil and gas companies began exploitation of Aceh natural resources. Alleged unequal distribution of profit between central government and native people of Aceh induced Hasan di Tiro, former ambassador of Darul Islam, to call for Independent Aceh. He proclaimed Aceh Independence in 1976.
The movement had a small number of followers initially, and Hasan di Tiro himself had to live in exile in Sweden. Meanwhile, the province followed Suharto's policy of economic development and industrialization. During late 80s several security incidents prompted the Indonesian central government to take repressive measures and to send troops to Aceh. Human rights abuse was rampant for the next decade, resulting in many grievances on the part of the Acehnese toward the Indonesian central government.
During late 90s, chaos in Java and an ineffective central government gave an advantage to Free Aceh Movement and resulted in the second phase of the rebellion, this time with large support from the Acehnese people. This support was demonstrated during the 2000 plebiscite in Banda Aceh which was attended by nearly half million people (of four million population of the province). Indonesian central government responded in 2001 by broadening Aceh's autonomy by giving its government the right to apply sharia law more broadly and the right to receive direct foreign investment. This was again accompanied by repressive measures, however and in 2003 an offensive began and a state of emergency was proclaimed in the Province. The war was still going on when the Tsunami Disaster of 2004 struck the province.
The aftermath of tsunami in Aceh
The western coastal areas of Aceh, including the cities of Banda Aceh, Calang, and Meulaboh, were among the areas hardest-hit by the tsunami resulting from the Indian Ocean earthquake on December 26, 2004. While estimates vary, approximately 230,000 people were killed by the earthquake and tsunami in Aceh, and about 500,000 were left homeless. The tragedy of the tsunami was further compounded on March 26 when a second off-shore earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale struck the sea bed between the islands of Simeulue Island in Aceh and Nias in North Sumatra. This second quake killed a further 905 people on Nias and Simeulue, displaced tens of thousands more and caused the tsunami response to be expanded to include Nias.
The population of Aceh before the December, 2004 tsunami was 4,271,000 (2004). The population as of 15 September 2005 was 4,031,589, almost 2% of the Indonesian population.
As of February 2006, more than a year after the tsunami, a large number of people are still living in barrack-style temporary living centers (TLC) or tents. Reconstruction is visible everywhere, but due to the sheer scale of the disaster, and logistical issues, progress is slow.
The ramifications of the tsunami went beyond the immediate impact to the lives and infrastructure of the Acehnese living on the coast. Since the disaster, the Acehnese rebel movement GAM, which had been fighting for independence against the Indonesian authorities for 29 years, has signed a peace deal (August 15 2005). The perception that the tsunami was punishment for insufficient piety in this proudly Muslim province is partly behind the increased emphasis on the importance of religion post-tsunami. This has been most obvious in the increased implementation of Syariah law, including the introduction of the controversial 'WH' or Syariah police. As homes are being built and people's basic needs are met, the people are also looking to improve the quality of education, increase tourism, and develop responsible, sustainable industry. Well-qualified educators are in high demand in Aceh.
While parts of Banda Aceh, the capital, were unscathed, the areas closest to the water, especially the areas of Kampung Jawa and Meuraxa, were completely destroyed. Most of the rest of the western coast was severely damaged, and many towns completely disappeared. Other towns on Aceh's west coast hit by the disaster include Lhoknga, Leupung, Lamno, Patek, Calang, Teunom, and the island of Simeulue. Affected or destroyed towns on the region's north & east coast include Pidie Regency, Samalanga, and Lhokseumawe.
The area is slowly being rebuilt after the disaster. The government initially proposed the creation of a two-kilometer buffer zone along low-lying coastal areas, within which permanent construction is not permitted. This proposal was unpopular among some local inhabitants and proved impractical in most situations, especially fishing families that are dependent on living near to the sea.
Indonesian government has built special agency for Aceh reconstruction, called Badan Rehabilitasi dan Rekonstruksi (BRR/Agency of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction) headed by Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, former Indonesian Minister. This agency has ministry level of authority and incorporating officials, professionals and community leaders from all background.
Most of the reconstruction work is being performed by local people using a mix of traditional methods and partial prefabricated structures, with funding coming from many international organizations and individuals, governments, and the people themselves.
The Government of Indonesia estimated in their Preliminary Damage and Losses Assessment that damages amounted to US$4.5 billion (before inflation, and US$6.2 billion including inflation). Three years after the tsunami, reconstruction was still ongoing. The World Bank monitors funding for reconstruction in Aceh and reports that US$7.7 billion was earmarked for the reconstruction, whilst at June 2007, US$5.8 billion had been allocated to specific reconstruction projects, of which US$3.4 billion had actually been spent (58%).
In 2009, the government opened a US$5.6 million museum to commemorate the tsunami with photographs, stories, and a simulation of the earthquake the triggered the tsunami.
The Sultanate of Aceh was established initially as a small Islamic kingdom in what is today Banda Aceh during the 15th century AD. During its golden era, its territory and political influence expanded as far as Satun in southern Thailand, Johor in Malay Peninsula, and Siak in what is today Riau province. As was the case with most non-Javan pre-colonial states, Acehnese power expanded outward by sea rather than focus inland. As it expanded down the Sumatran coast, it was not another Sumatran state, but Johor and Portuguese Malacca on the other side of the Straits of Malacca that were to become its main competitors. It was this seaborne trade focus that saw Aceh rely on rice imports from north Java rather than develop self sufficiency in rice production.
In the tomb of Ratu Acheh, a tombstone dated 1380, engraved with the wording, "Gusta barubasa empu Kedah Pasai Ma", meaning the families who embraced Islam governs Kedah and Pasai. This is so because Acheh is part of the Main Kingdom of Raja Siam (Müsli) Beruas Melayu Tua Gangga, Negara Kedah Pasai Ma Empire whom appointed Sultans from its siblings to rule its territory and waters. Rulers of this Empire is known as Shyah Alam Yang Maha Mulia, descendants from the Persians and Siamese Muslim Empire.
Because of the Portuguese occupation of Malacca in 1511, many Islamic traders passing Malacca straits shift their trade to Banda Aceh and increases wealth of Acehnese rulers. During the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda in 17th century, Aceh influence extended to most of Sumatra and Malay Peninsula. Aceh allied itself with the Ottoman Empire and the Dutch East India Company in their struggle against the Portuguese and the Johor Sultanate. Aceh military power waned gradually thereafter, and Aceh was separated from its territory of Kedah and Penang on the Malay Peninsula to the British, and Pariaman in Sumatra to the Dutch in 18th century.
By the early nineteenth century, however, Aceh had become an increasingly influential power due to its strategic location for controlling regional trade. In the 1820s it was the producer of over half the world's supply of black pepper. The pepper trade produced new wealth for the sultanate, but also for the rulers of many smaller nearby ports that had been under Aceh's control, but were now able to assert more independence. These changes initially threatened Aceh's integrity, but a new sultan Tuanku Ibrahim, who controlled the kingdom from 1838 to 1870, aggressively, and successfully, reasserted power over nearby ports.
Under the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 the British ceded their colonial possessions on Sumatra to the Dutch. In the treaty, the British described Aceh as one of their possessions, although they had no actual control over the sultanate. Initially, under the agreement the Dutch agreed to respect Aceh's independence. In 1871, however, the British dropped previous opposition to a Dutch invasion of Aceh, possibly to prevent France or the United States from gaining a foothold in the region. Although neither the Dutch nor the British knew the specifics, there had been rumors since the 1850s that Aceh had been in communication with rulers of France and of the Ottoman Empire.
The Dutch colonial government declared war on Aceh on 26 March 1873; the apparent immediate trigger for their invasion was discussions between representatives of Aceh and the U.S. in Singapore during early 1873. An expedition under Major General Johan Harmen Rudolf Kohler was sent out in 1873, which was able to occupy most of the coastal areas. It was the intention of the Dutch to attack and take the Sultan's palace, which would also lead to the occupation of the entire country. The Sultan requested and possibly received military aid from Italy and the United Kingdong in Singapore: in any case the Aceh army was rapidly modernized, and Aceh soldiers managed to kill Köhler (a monument of this achievement has been built inside Grand Mosque of Banda Aceh). Köhler made some grave tactical errors and the reputation of the Dutch was severely harmed.
A second expedition led by General Jan van Swieten managed to capture the dalam (sultan's palace): the Sultan had however been warned, and had escaped capture. Intermittent guerilla warfare continued in the region for ten years, with many victims on both sides. Around 1880 the Dutch strategy changed, and rather than continuing the war, they now concentrated on defending areas they already controlled, which were mostly limited to the capital city (modern Banda Aceh), and the harbor town of Ulee Lheue. On 13 October 1880 the colonial government declared the war as over, but continued spending heavily to maintain control over the areas it occupied.
War began again in 1883, when the British ship Nisero was stranded in Aceh, in an area where the Dutch had little influence. A local leader asked for ransom from both the Dutch and the British, and under British pressure the Dutch were forced to attempt to liberate the sailors. After a failed Dutch attempt to rescue the hostages, where the local leader Teuku Umar was asked for help but he refused, the Dutch together with the British invaded the territory. The Sultan gave up the hostages, and received a large amount of cash in exchange.
The Dutch Minister of Warfare August Willem Philip Weitzel now again declared open war on Aceh, and warfare continued, with little success, as before. The Dutch now also tried to enlist local leaders: the aforementioned Umar was bought with cash, opium, and weapons. Umar received the title panglima prang besar (upper warlord of the government).
Umar called himself rather Teuku Djohan Pahlawan (Johan the Heroic). On 1 January 1894 Umar even received Dutch aid to build an army. However, two years later Umar attacked the Dutch with his new army, rather than aiding the Dutch in subjugating inner Aceh. This is recorded in Dutch history as "Het verraad van Teukoe Oemar" (the treason of Teuku Umar).
In 1892 and 1893 Aceh remained independent, despite the Dutch efforts. Major J.B van Heutsz, a colonial military leader, then wrote a series of articles on Aceh. He was supported by Dr. Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje of the University of Leiden, then the leading Dutch expert on Islam. Hurgronje managed to get the confidence of many Aceh leaders and gathered valuable intelligence for the Dutch government. His works remained an official secret for many years. In Hurgronje's analysis of Acehnese society, he minimised the role of the Sultan and argued that attention should be paid to the hereditary chiefs, the Ulee Balang, who he felt could be trusted as local administrators. However, he argued, Aceh's religious leaders, the ulema, could not be trusted or persuaded to cooperate, and must be destroyed.
This advice was followed: in 1898 Van Heutsz was proclaimed governor of Aceh, and with his lieutenant, later Dutch Prime Minister Hendrikus Colijn, would finally conquer most of Aceh. They followed Hurgronje's suggestions, finding cooperative uleebelang that would support them in the countryside. Van Heutsz charged Colonel Gotfried Coenraad Ernst van Daalen with breaking remaining resistance. G.C.E. van Daalen destroyed several villages, killing at least 2,900 Acehnese, among which were 1,150 women and children. Dutch losses numbered just 26, and Van Daalen was promoted.
By 1904 most of Aceh was under Dutch control, and had an indigenous government that cooperated with the colonial state. Estimated total casualties on the Aceh side range from 50,000 to 100,000 dead, and over a million wounded.
In the Netherlands at the time, Van Heutsz was considered a hero, named the 'Pacificator of Aceh' and was promoted to become governor-general of the entire Dutch Indies in 1904. A still-existent statue of him was erected in central Amsterdam.
Colonial influence in the remote highland areas of Aceh was never substantial, however, and limited guerrilla resistance remained. Led mostly by the religious ulema, intermittent fighting continued until about 1910, and parts of the province were still not pacified when the Dutch Indies became independent Indonesia following the end of the Japanese occupation of Indonesia.
Frankly, I visited it only a few times, but I am quite interested and I wish to visit it again in near future. On my picture above with the Laut Tawar Lake background was taken more than one year ago, I came here without any preparation. At the time, I went to Aceh Tengah from Meulaboh with my uncle and lodge in his relative’s house, after I spend one night in his relative’s house and enjoyed the cold night by chatting with the local people, then we slept soundly, in the following day, early in the morning, one of his relatives woke us up and invite us to go around with his car to see Laut Tawar Lake, we did not waste this time, suddenly we agree and went there. Since it was in a rush, we forgot to wear jackets, of course it was a bit cold but this weather did not influence us not to enjoy the atmosphere.
Since we did not have any preparation, we did not bring any snacks and beverages and my uncle’s relative has to work, we have to leave soon. Even it was a very short trip, it was quite impressive and wish to come back here.
Hello guys, have you planned to visit Banda Aceh?? if you have, maybe you are confused where to spend your night, where to lodge in, do not worry, here is the list of the hotels in Banda Aceh,
- Cakra Donya Hotel
Jl. Khairil Anwar No.10
(0651) 33633
(0651) 23879
*
Banda Aceh - Sultan Hotel
Jl. Sultan Hotel No.1
0651-22469
0651-31770
* * *
Peunayong Banda Aceh - Kartika Hotel
Jl. Nyak Adam Kamil IV No.1
(0651) 31205
(0651) 23629
* - Taman Tepi Laut Hotel
Jl. Banda Aceh-Meulaboh
(0651) 44202,
(0651) 44203
*
Km 17,55, Lhoknya
32029 - Medan Hotel
Jl. Jend. Ahmad Yani No. 17
(0651) 33851
(0651) 32256
*
Peunayong Banda Aceh
21501 - Hermes Palace
Jl. Panglima Nyka Makam,
. 0651-755888.
0651-7556999.
(Ex: Swissbelt Hotel)
Banda Aceh, NAD - Griya Indah Pratama Hotel
Jl. Taman Makam Pahlawan II
(0651) 21056
No. 2 Peuniti Banda Aceh - Palembang Hotel
Jl. Chairil Anwar No. 49
(0651) 22044 - Jeumpa Hotel
Jl. Stadion Dhirmutala No.5
(0651) 7411592
SMK I Banda Aceh - Wisata Hotel
Jl. Jend. Ahmad Yani No. 19 � 21
(0651) 21834
Banda Aceh - Parapat Hotel
Jl. Jend. A. Yani No. 19
(0651) 22159
Banda Aceh - Raja Wali Hotel
Jl. Sisinga Mangaraja Lampulo
(0651) 32618
Banda Aceh - Rasa Mala Indah Hotel
Jl. Teuku Umar No. 257
(0651) 41983
Seutui Banda Aceh - Kuala Raja Hotel
Jl. T. Nyak Arif,
0651-29687.
0651-536033
In front of Zainal AbidinHospital , Banda Aceh - Grand Nanggroe Hotel
Jl. Tgl. Imum Lueng Bata,
0651-35788.
0651-35776
Banda Aceh
35779 - Oasis Aceh Hotel
Jl. Tengku Lueng Bata
0651-636999
0651-635333
No. 115. Banda Aceh 23247, Indonesia
Aceh is a diverse region occupied by several ethnic and language groups. The major ethnic groups are the Acehnese (who are distributed throughout Aceh), Gayo (in central and eastern part), Alas (in southeastern), Tamiang (in Aceh Tamiang), Aneuk Jamee (descendant from Minangkabau, concentrated in southern and southwestern), Kluet (in South Aceh), and Simelue (on Simeulue Island). There is also a significant population of Chinese, who are influential in the business and financial communities.
The Acehnese language is widely spoken within the Acehnese population. This is a member of the Aceh-Chamic group of languages, whose other representatives are mostly found in Vietnam and Cambodia, and is also closely related to the Malay group of languages. Achenese has many words borrowed from Malay and Arabic and traditionally was written using Arabic script. Acehnese is also used as local language in Langkat and Asahan (North Sumatra), and Kedah (Malaysia), and once dominated Penang. Alas and Kluet are closely related languages within the Batak group. The Jamee language originated from Minangkabau language in West Sumatra with just a few variation and differences.
Aceh was once a meeting point for people from many nations, and among the present day Acehnese can be found some individuals of Arab, Turkish, and Indian descent. Before the tsunami, the region of Meureuhom Daya (Lamno) used to have an unusually high number of people with fair complexions, blue eyes and blond hair, and local traditions attributed to Turkish or Portuguese ancestry.
Hardly on the international radar of beach scenes, Weh is mellow and unconcerned with tourist dollars. Along the muddy island road are little villages with underwear-only kids playing in the yard, lazy cows tied up to a green patch of grass and scrappy goats looking for garden victims. The shops cater to the locals with communal TVs and coffee instead of souvenir kitsch.
Pulau Weh is shaped roughly like a horseshoe. On the northeastern leg is the port town of Sabang where most of Weh’s population lives. The primary tourist beaches are Gapang and Iboih, which are about 20km away heading towards the northwestern leg.
It’s always a little rainy on Weh, with two monsoon seasons. November to January are the wettest, coolest months but are also the best times to see whale sharks.
Malaria has been reported on the island, so take the proper precautions.The tsunami did give Weh a minor licking, but the island fared better than the mainland. Many of the coastal businesses that were bashed up have since rebuilt and the villagers banded together to repair roads, replant trees and fill in washed-out pockets of the beach.
South of the city centre you’ll find the Terminal Bus Senti (Jl Teuku Umar). There are numerous buses to Medan (economy/air-con 120, 000/150, 000Rp, nine to 13 hours). As long as the peace agreement holds, overland travel between Banda Aceh and Medan is safer now than in the past.
The west coast road from Banda Aceh to Meulaboh was destroyed by the 2004 tsunami. When reland transport does resume, you’ll have the option of public buses that depart from the bus terminal or minibuses that depart from offices behind the mosque on Jl Mohammad Jam.
South of Meulaboh, the road is in working order and can be accessed via the interior road through Aceh or from Medan.
After the tsunami, the port moved to Uleh-leh, 15km northwest of Banda Aceh’s city centre. The road to the port goes straight through the tsunami’s path – once a two-car garage suburb, now an eerie, empty landscape. Bamboo barracks in places have replaced the fine homes, but otherwise there is very little evidence of the former communities: no roads, streetlights or clotheslines.
In the "New Order" era, it was called Aceh Special Region, but THIS NAME is NO LONGER USED NOW by since 1998, in the "Reformation Order" the New Government approved a new Name for the Province, is now a NANGGROE ACEH DARUSSALAM,which means ACEH a Prosperous Country , with the capital city still in BANDA ACEH, .... Sunday morning December 26, 2004 the region hit by an EARTH QUAKE with 8.9 in Richter Scale. This is a National Tragedy for Indonesia as well as SouthEast Asia Region. The Occassion was coming in a Beautiful and brightly Sunday morning, at 08.00 am Western Indonesian Time, thence 30 minutes later, a big wave rushed from Indian Ocean with the speed of 800 km per hour- The TSUNAMI-hit the western and north coastline of Aceh Region and was a very terrible natural dissaster, the News then broadcast widely by all electronic media and shocked all over the worlds. It was a very terrible Natural Dissaster which lasting only a few minutes but devastating a wide region of Banda Aceh
The Revival of an old City
How many time must some Cannon ball fly , before they for ever banned, the answer my friend is Blowing in the wind, ...... the song sing by Bob Dylan (do hope that it was not mistaken) is a picture of Acehness misery in almost daily basis, ... It was a long and winding road for Aceh Peoples to live in peace and Harmony.During an Internal conflict , almost evevry moment the peoples in this region live in an uneasy ambience, witnessing the army fight the Acehness movement in an uncertain time, until then the tsunami coming and hit Aceh region, which is became a big lesson not only for Aceh People, but also for the peoples of Nation Wide, a Natural Dissaster is beside as a tragedy, it was also as a miracle for Aceh Peoples which deliver them into a Peace process under taken by International Body in Helsinki in the year 2005, it was a New Era for Aceh People to live in peace and harmony and the Revival of an Old City begin. (By: meiyergani)
The provincial capital of Banda Aceh is not frequently paired in the international press with good times. The city was close enough to the sea and the epicentre of the earthquake to have suffered a double punch from the 2004 Boxing Day disaster. The earthquake toppled most of the buildings taller than three storeys and the tsunami gobbled up coastal development across middle-class suburbs. In Banda Aceh alone, 61, 000 people were killed and development outside of the city centre was reduced to a wasteland in a matter of a few hours. This scale of destruction usually takes humans years of warfare to match.
However, Banda Aceh is on the mend. The usual hustle and bustle of an Indonesian town is up to full volume now and enough aid workers have arrived to kick-start an economy catering to non-governmentalorganisations (NGOs). Prices have swollen to soak up spendthrift per diems and bilingual Acehnese are finding handsome work as drivers and interpreters.
There is still grief and an obliterated landscape, but the city residents are blessed with courage. If at times being a tourist feels superficial, viewing the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami provides a necessary grounding in history and human drama. Residents will share their stories of loss and ask for nothing in return but an open heart.
What will Banda Aceh look like in a few years’ time? After one year, the city had passed through the initial disaster phase: debris had been removed, the dead buried, and some businesses reopened. But rebuilding homes and infrastructure was moving at an imperceptible pace. Aid organisations anticipate being in the area until 2008, but no-one is sure if this is a realistic timeline.
What’s certain, though, is that Banda Aceh will challenge any stereotypes you may have about Islam. In this devoutly Muslim city, the hassles are few and the people are friendly and easy-going. You’ll see headscarfed policewomen directing traffic or sit next to a well-educated Muslim woman travelling without a male companion. Even when the city shuts down for important prayer times, locals use the afternoon break to visit with friends while the sermons are broadcast in the background.
(http://www.lonelyplanet.com/indonesia/sumatra/banda-aceh)
The linge girls with gayo traditional clothes played the movement of the bines dance, One of the dance to welcome the important guests in the cultural Gayonese tradition. Bines dance was shown during the appointment agenda of the seven house (Umah Pitu Ruang) Linge King's,in the former royal complex of linge,Linge Subdistrict, ACeh Tengah (Middle Aceh) Regency.Photos-Serambi/JALIMIN
According to T Alibasyah Talsya in the Aceh book Kaya Budaya ( rich in Cultural ) (1972) The bines dance was played by several people of the girls. The story of the beginning of the birth of this dance began with the incident that was full of the disgrace. The disgrace struck the Ni Malelang Ode, that was already done made adultery with a young man.
He was afterwards whipped with the whip punishment, because of could not keep this lashing, the Ani Malelang Ode died and made his mother mourn his trip.The mother of the Ni Malelang Ode, really was stricken, in his sorrow that was covered by the sadness and the embarrassed feeling resulting from the conduct of his child, the mother mourned and asked for compassion in front of the crowd while going a step for the sake of a step surrounded his child’s body.The sadness the mother made people around it be touched, then one by one the relative, the neighbours as well as people who took part in being sad in the place. They continued to follow the mother mourned while surrounding the body of the Ni Malelang Ode. According to Talsya, the mother’s lament when surrounding the body of the Ni Malelang Ode the beginning of birth Bines dance.
Started from the incident, the step in the mothers surrounded the body of the Ni Malelang Ode afterwards to a dance that continued developed various changes, the dance that afterwards was named bines. The lament of the mothers was replaced with poems and sadness poems, that contained advices that were useful in the life of the community.
The dance bines was begun denan the Bismillah statement, his dancers put on typical clothes the area that was supplemented with various asesoris, beginning with the form of the bun that was decorated with the flower and various flowers. Dipinggang the dancers were tied cloth like batik cloth. While dancing and being involved in coiling, the dancers continued to write poetry and bersajak. The contents from the poem and the poem this touched on various aspects of the life.
Apart from being played by the women, bines was also was played by the man who was acknowledged as Sining Bines. The movement of the dance sining bines almost completely was the same as the dance bines, that is involved in coiling while writing poetry. With these poems of the spectators was reminded about essence of social life that must submit to the law and the current standard.
In the development bines and sining bines began to be put by other stories in his poem in accordance with the demand of time and the intention showed without changing his original form that has been known by the community.That distinguished bines with sining bines was only in sining bines, the men who danced while being involved in coiling, from time to time together stamping foot to the floor in a varying and rhythmic manner. This stamping as if darkened Lament in his poem; the lament that became the birth origin bines. With stamping foot this as though the dancers reminded the spectator that the sadness must not always be dealt with the tear. (by uranggayo.wordpress)
