Amazingly Unique Acehnese Village in Malaysia

Kampung Acheh (Acehnese village) is located in Yan, Keudah, Malaysia. According to people living there, the numbers of villagers are 170, included 100 Malay and 70 Acehnese. The Acehnese Islamic scholars and religionists who moved from Aceh were the first people resided in the village. They moved to the place because chased, hunted and humiliated by Dutch. They were using small boats to across the sea in 1890 and successfully anchored in Keudah seashore and some of boats went along the side Sungai Petani (Petani River). They were using their voyage knowledge in interpreting stars as direction marker to arrive directly where they intend to.

After successfully anchored, with their some valuable properties such as golden and silver jewelries, Ulama with the family started a new life and created Islamic civilization there by cleaning and planting the lands with peppers, rice and many plants. Besides that, they also conducted financial business with Malay people and built mosques, school and Islamic institution. They then earn much living money which can be used to fulfill family needs, help village construction, and received honor from people because their characters were very good to the villagers.

From interview session with Jasni Muhammad Nur, 60 years old, Acehnese housewife and quantity surveyor, we obtained some information about language, culture and tradition of the villagers. When we asked about what language she used in communicating with family, she replied that she used Acehnese language and her 3 children were also taught to speak with using Acehnese language although her husband was Malay. In her view, Acehnese language had to be preserved and taught to grand children until the next generation. Additionally, she was fourth generation of her grand-fathers and deserved to get many properties that had left for her in the village.

After observing and analyzing the way she communicated using Acehnese language, I believed that there must be an influence of Malay language in every Acehnese sentences that she constructed and expressed. That because of she added suffix –lah indicated Malay dialect and the usage of old Acehnese word such as “Wareh” for “Heir” or “Close relative”

When asked about flavors and kind of foods that she cooked at home, she said that she was still using Achenese traditional spices and flavors such as pepper, Asam Sunti and turmeric when cooking Acehnese foods in her family. She was preserving Acehnese flavors and the rich of peppers as the legacy and heritage from ancestors. 

Then we questioned about grave yard beside the main road, she answered that those people buried there were first, second and third generations in the village. If it is observed, gravestones patterns resembled Acehnese kingdom family, merchants, and Islamic scholar gravestones with Indian an Arabic style. Across the main road, stood a Balai, place for learning Islamic knowledge, and in the front right of the building flowed a fresh river water from mountain Jerai. The mountain was a landmark direction for sailors.  

After that, we asked he about abandoned Acehnese houses in the village. Houses were constructed with high and strong pillars functioning to protect residents from wild animals and flood. However, they were not resided and taken care. Because of that, the grass was growing uncontrollably in their environments.  She responded that many families already died and did not have any heir to take control of the properties until now the houses were left and abandoned. 

At night, we spent our time at KAMC (Kampung Acheh Management Centre) that located near to people’s residences. At KAMC, there were several rooms provided for Acehnese people and foreign visitors who wanted to enjoy harmonious and peaceful forest then to learn forest survival techniques in cliffs, black forest, and under the threat of wild animals that mentored by experts. KAMP managements were managed by Mr. Jasni Abdul Ghani, 63 years old, was born in Kampung Aceh. He was fourth generation of the native villagers that graduated from Business Management, Wales University. After his graduation, he worked in England, Canada and Malaysian kingdom. Besides that, he was also the president of IMAM (Ikatan Masyarakat Aceh Malaysia) (Acehnese People in Malaysia Union).

We were welcomed warmly by Mr. Abdurrahman bin Yasin, 73 years old, also fourth generation who worked as elementary school teacher and IMAM’s secretary. Additionally, Mr. Arifin, an Acehnese travel agency, born in Sigli, had experiences working at Indonesia consulate in Japan, was with us that night. 

They welcomed us as their guests. It was a big welcome from the indigenous Acehnese generations in Malaysia and from the one who was successful in his travel business in Aceh.  The served us traditional foods, fruits and drinks such as Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice), Masam Ke-eung (Tom Yam), Durian, Rambutan, mangosteen, orange juice, Coffee ‘o’ dan hot Milo.

We asked few advices to be given, they said:

1. Islam teaches about how to get the calmness in heart by patiently doing all Allah’s commands, who is the most powerful God and none partners beside him. The Muslimin are not afraid of losing properties and wealth that given to orphans, students and wanderers who need helps, under low-income people and so on. They do not hesitate to help because they believe that every property given will be rewarded 70 times, in every part of 70 contained 700 more. They are rewarded with rewards they cannot imagine in this world and glorious lives in the hereafter. Those are rewards to the givers and helpers of people who are not doubt to give and help for the interests of others. That habit must be followed by Acehnese people because that is the belief and Islamic lesson that results good impacts to the society. It will be the reason why the blessings will be given by Allah from heaven and earth then in the hereafter will have a beautiful heaven with the properties in it.

2. “Sulet ke Pangkai, Rugoe ke laba” is Acehnese quote that mean “lies become a foundation or pillar, so lost is the result”. The meaning of that quote is honesty must be planted in Acehnese people’s hearts and habits. The honesty in the saying, promises, and in revealing history has to be implemented. Because a nation without honesty in revealing historical facts will be easily defeated, humiliated, flattered, taken their properties, dignities and rights in this world.  So, Acehnese people have to honestly tell and teach generations about history that reflects the identity as a nation.

The real Acehnese people are not under the control and responsibility of other nations but God. Acehnese people are not a nation which cannot lead themselves and determine their rights. Because history has proven that Acehnese kingdom is sovereign and the war ultimatum of Dutch against Aceh has not taken back yet. So that, Acehnese still has the sovereignty because Dutch does not obey international law about colonialism which stated that every nation under colonialism must be freed and given back to the people not by giving to another nation to continue the colonialism.

However, only some people know the real history of Aceh and the rests are losing their national identity and memory. Even in majority, they have forgotten the struggles of their ancestors to defend this state from alien oppressors. In consequences, they who have left their history behind do not deserve to get the legacy. Additionally, they will be the people without identity, are easily threaten and have little political influences. So, anticipating this from happening, Acehnese people have to be fearless to reveal history and put effort to self-determination.