ACEHNESE PEOPLE PROFILE

Population and Geographical Distribution

The Acehnese are a group numbering nearly 3 million who inhabit the northern tip of Sumatra in Indonesia . They reside primarily in Daerah Istimewa Aceh or “special region” of Aceh.

Over half of the province’s population live in its coastal region, and there are no large cities. Even the capital Banda Aceh (formerly the trading port of Kuta Raja ) has only 80 thousand inhabitants.

The Acehnese are a blend of many races, which explains why they are fairer skinned and taller than most other Indonesians.

Language and Dialects

The Acehnese language belongs to the Malay sub-family of the Austronesian group, and it is most closely related to the Cham language of Indochina. Most Acehnese also speak Bahasa Indonesia.

...'Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers hands?" ..And he said...'The one who showed mercy to him.

Then Jesus said.."Go and do the same"

Luke 10:34-37

Economy and Livelihood

The majority of Acehnese are fisherman; or farmers who subsist through agriculture, primarily wet-rice planting in the lowland areas. Other important crops include pepper, sugarcane, tobacco, rubber, peanuts, coconuts, areca, maize, and coffee. For several centuries, narrow and fertile coastal strip in Aceh has produced an annual surplus of rice and cash crops, notably pepper. Aceh’s rural economy remains buoyant.

The Acehnese are also well known as metalworkers, and Banda Aceh is famous for the quality of its gold jewelry. Women weave high-quality cotton and silk textiles, including cloths known as songket which have gold woven into them.

The discovery of large reserves of natural gas has resulted in rapid economic growth. Since 1980, Aceh has contributed between US$2 to 3 billion annually to Indonesia ’s foreign exchange earnings.

The traditional Acehnese home stands on stilts which are about two meters high. The floors and walls are made of either bamboo or wood from coconut trees. Roofs are covered with clay tiles or thatch made of palm leaves. The trend today, however is for one to build more modern cement homes.

Religion

Almost all Acehnese are Sunni Muslims. The Acehnese are considered among the most zealous of all Indonesians in their Islamic beliefs. They have been instrumental spreading Islam throughout Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia . It is often stated that "to be Aceh is to be Muslim".

The dominant influence of Islam can be seen in all aspects of community life, and this is particularly evident in the resolution of problems. Almost every problem, whether it affects an individual or a group, is resolved primarily through the Islamic system of law (syariah). Religious education in Islam for every Acehnese child begins from the age of 7 years.

Islam came to the region in the 12th century. Aceh grew to prominence as an Islamic trading center during the 16th century. Over the years, the regional capital of Banda Aceh has been commonly known as the “doorway to Mecca ” (serambi Mekkah). Historically, this city (formerly the trading port of Kuta Raja or “king’s town”) has been a stop for Muslim pilgrims journeying by ship to Mecca . Today, Aceh province is possibly the most staunchly Islamic area in Southeast Asia .

The people of Aceh are very resistant to the good news and are often openly hostile. Churches of other ethnic groups have been burnt down in the past, and followers of Jesus killed in Aceh. The Acehnese believe their land is holy and that the presence of followers of Jesus pollute the land. In 1993, it was estimated that there were only about 110 followers of Jesus within this people group.