Let’s Make a Move With These 8 Traditional Dances from Aceh

Aceh is well known for the Serambi Mekah not only in Indonesia but also around the world as the unique facts about Sumatera island. That nickname also admitted by UNESCO as the special region in Indonesia. Not only has a religious life based on Islamic culture, but Aceh also fulfills their daily life with other cultures.

Aceh will remain you with the biggest disaster in Indonesia with the Tsunami, but it doesn’t mean Acehnese gives up with the disaster. The diversity in Aceh’s culture offers its beauty and harmony in the Islamic way.

Most of them are traditional cultures where you can see them in some special events. You can see not only traditional music but also their traditional dances.

Acehnese believe by keep doing that it is the way of keeping their culture’s existence. They are consistent to continue the tradition from their ancestors.

Just like some culture and art in west Sumatera, Aceh brings their cultures and art in some religious way. Now, check some list below of traditional dances from Aceh that can make you move along the day.

1. Saman Dance

Saman dance is one of the most popular traditional dance from Aceh. It has originally come from the Gayo tribe which calls as the oldest tribe in Aceh. That is why this dance plays with a complete costume of Gayo traditional clothes.

Saman dance used to perform as the way Gayo tribes spread Islam to be accepted as their religion. Until now, the dance keeps bringing the Islamic cultures of Islamic knowledge.

Saman dance used to can be played by men or women, but after UNESCO admitted it women are not allowed to play. That is because all of the moves in the dance is so fast and need some extra energy that women can’t bear it.

2. Seudati Dance

Seudati dance comes from Pidie regency and the North of Aceh regency, Aceh. This dance describes social values in Aceh society. Seudati means as the Syahadat or an Islamic testify word. That is why the dance plays in the Islamic way to spread Islamic cultures.

Commonly, Seudati dance plays by eight men who dance beautifully in one rhythm. People used to know this dance as the Ratoh dance. But, as time goes by and the song come in Syahadat way, people start to call it as Seudati dance until now.

3. Likok Pulo Dance

Likok Pulo dance originally comes from Aceh Besar regency, Aceh. This dance describes Islamic advice that you can put on society or apply it to daily life. That is why this dance is so popular not only in Aceh but also in Indonesia.

Likok Pulo dance commonly plays by 10 men with a cross line up. Some of them will stand up and the other will sit down. this dance plays with bamboo as their dance properties.

4. Laweut Dance

Laweut dance is a traditional dance from Pidie regency, Aceh. This dance describes the Shalawat or some song in the Islamic way. This dance usually plays by 8 women and one singer.

The unique thing about this dance is pretty quite to dancing. There is no music from some musical instruments but the clap from the dancer. That is why this dance quieter than Saman dance.

5. Tarek Pukat Dance

Tarek Pukat dance is a traditional dance from Aceh that popular because of its beautiful move. The dance is talking about fishermen that try to reach and drawn the net once they got the fish.

Tarek Pukat describes the Acehnese that most of them have become fishermen. Not only about getting the fish, but this dance also reflection great teamwork. The dance followed by traditional music that perfectly configuring the dancer move.

Commonly, Tarek Pukat plays by seven women complete with Aceh’s traditional clothes. They bring the net while dancing which connects to one and other dancers. You will find this dance in most of the important events or official events from the governments.

6. Bines Dance

Bines dance originally comes from Gayo regency, Aceh which plays by the Jangin Bines song. This dance looks like a Saman dance. The dancer will move slowly in the first stage, but then they move faster than stop in once glance.

Commonly, Bines dance plays by a minimum of 10 women or more. The dancer will dance in complete Lukup clothes and sarong with Pajang shawl. These clothes made to make the dancer get an easier move.

7. Didong Dance

Didong dance is a traditional dance from Aceh which made by the integration of the vocal, dance, and song. This dance is so unique because there are no musical instruments that include along with the dance.

The dancer will both sing and do the acapella so that they make a good sound like the background of the dance. Their sound like Din and Don while dancing, that is why people call it the Didong dance. Nowadays, this dance is rarely to perform but you can still found it in some official events.

8. Rapai Geleng Dance

Rapai Geleng dance comes from Manggeng, some village in Aceh. People believed that this dance was performed for the first time in 1965. The dancer will be singing about Islamic cultures for the do and don’t. That is why you will not find this dance in some most popular wedding ceremonies in Indonesia.

Rapai Geleng means as the dance with the shaking head and Rapai as the traditional music instrument to follow at the dance. For the first time, this dance was a play by men to teach some moral values through society in social life in Indonesia.

So, there are eight traditional dances from Aceh that you will make your body move. As Indonesian we must be proud of them as part of the greatest Indonesian cultures. Have you ever watch them all?