Introduction

Introduction to Aceh

The mountainous province of Aceh consists of the entire northern tip of Sumatera, and guards the entrance to the most important sea-route of Asia: Malacca Strait. Almost all traffic over sea between West and East passes this sea-lane, and Aceh has been the first land for Arab and Indian merchants for centuries. Against the end of the 13th century the trading posts and small principaliti (...)

Aceh barat	Foaming embracement of the Alas

The coasts and the highlands of western Aceh belong to the most spectacular nature of Indonesia. Until not too long ago this area was almost not reachable, but recent improvements to the roads have made traveling a lot more easy. Now it's possible to follow the western coast on the road from Banda Aceh towards Tapaktuan and from there to Medan or Danau Toba via Sidikalang. The journey f (...)

Mesjid Baiturrahman	Symbol of greatness and hope

Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, a beautiful if not imposing building in central Banda Aceh, has come to symbolize Aceh's greatness, its people's strong devotion to Islam, and now, as the province recovers from the devastating earthquake and tsunamis last month, it has come to represent hope. On Friday, the mosque will be the focus of the celebration of Idul Adha (Islamic Day of Sacrifice), with morning (...)

Coastal cities	Old islamic harbors

The earliest Islamic kingdoms of Indonesia were along the northern coast of Aceh. A number of short, fast rivers descend from Bukit Barisan to this coast, and for centuries the river mouths gave protection to ships before and after the long journey over the Indian Ocean. In this way, harbors like Samudra-Pasai (Lhokseumawe), Tamiang (Langsa), Peureulak, Samalanga and Pidia (Sigli), were founded. D (...)

Gayo highlands	Proud people around a nice lake

The Gayo Highlands consist of the mountainous central part of Aceh, an isolated area which is cut of from the surrounding coastal plains by the rough peaks of Bukit Barisan. This is the habitat of about 250,000 Gayo, a dynamic population with an own language, lively traditional art and a high level of education. The four big Gayo area's are each concentrated around a lake of river valle (...)

History of Aceh	History of Aceh

Evidence concerning the initial coming and subsequent establishment of Islam is thin and inconclusive, however, it is thought that it was through the Aceh region. When Venetian traveller Marco Polo passed by Sumatra on his way home from China in 1292 he found that Perlak was a Muslim town while nearby 'Basma(n)' and 'Samara' were not. 'Basma(n)' and 'Samara' are often said to be Pasai and Samudra (...)

Pulau Weh	Time has stopped in Sabang

When the sun sets over Pulau Weh in the evening, a deep rest descends over the island, north of Banda Aceh. Only the voices of fishermen and a few people and the water against the rusty, iron pillars of a pier break the silence. However the very good deep seaport and the strategic position at the entrance of Selat Malakka, one of the busiest sea trade routes, is Sabang, the most important city of (...)