The Extraordinary Characteristics of Rumoh Aceh

DEBY SUSILAWATI

2019

Aceh is an extraordinarily beautiful area. Because of the diversity of languages, traditions, traditional clothing, dances, and traditional houses which contain their own aesthetic and philosophical values. We can find out through historical site, namely Meseum Rumoh Aceh. Meseum Rumoh Aceh is one of the famous historical tourism objects in Aceh, in addition to the Mesjid Baiturahman and Museum Tsunami Aceh. This place stand on Jl. Sultan Alaudin Mahmud Syah, before the Aceh Governor's Hall.

Rumoh Aceh is a traditional house of the Acehnese. This building is normaly assembled with seumantok wood constituting a stage house with pillars. Muhammad Jakfar, a curator of Meseum Aceh said that, this place was built for the purpose of a contest in Semarang, Central Java in 1914 by the Dutch Colonial. In 1915 it was back to Aceh in order to turn it to Atjeh Museum. 

"Initially placed in Blang Padang, then it was moved to the Meseum Aceh and was inaugurated on July 31, 1915," he said. The displacement process is not complicated. Because Rumoh Aceh uses palm tree (tali ijuk), wooden pegs, and wedges to replacce nails and screws. It commonly called knock down.

Bachtiar, ticket guard, said that every day there are many tourists visiting. Both from local and foreign tourists. "For international tourists, we provide special guides." The tourists can look around or enter the room. If we want to enter, so  we must pay an entrance fee at a predetermined rate.

Muyup Moh. Picture: @debys

Looking at Rumoh Aceh, the first thing that we meet is the bottom, which is called yup moh/muyup moh. This is the part between the ground and the upper floor. Here we can find various objects, such as jeungki, and kroeng. It can also be used to raise ducks, cocks, and goats.

Pinto Rumoh Aceh. Picture: @debys

Then, entering the main door of Rumoh Aceh. There are several wooden steps (reunyeun). Usually, the door of the Rumoh Aceh is located on the front and side of the house. However, the door of the Rumoh Aceh in Meseum Aceh is placed at the top of upper floor. The purpose is to avoid attacks by enemies and wild animals.

Seuramoe Reunyeun. Picture: @debys

After passing through the front stairs (reunyeun), we enter to the front hall (seuramoe keu/seuramoe reunyeun). This space stretches throughout the house and is not roomy. This room as a living room, place of prayer, and can be used as a place for guests to eat dinner.

Seuramoe Teungoh (rambat). Picture: @debys

Seuramoe Teungoh (rambat). Picture: @debys

In seuramoe keu through the middle hall (rambat), there is two bedrooms. Especially for women and close relatives. Rumoh Inong (juree) is located in the western and eastern part of the rambat. This is the main bedroom and is considered a holy place by Acehnese. It is for married couples and traditional ceremonies.

Seuramoe Likot. Picture: @debys

Seuramoe Likot. Picture: @debys

The back hall of Rumoh Aceh is called seuramoe likot. This space is used as a family room and kitchen. Generally, seuramoe likot is a family gathering place, caring for children (ayoen aneuk), sewing, weaving mats, and places to put cooking equipment and food ingredients.