DOCSLIB.ORG

The “Aceh Method” As a Mode of “Seeing” Vernacular Knowledge

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The “Aceh Method” As a Mode of “Seeing” Vernacular Knowledge Proceedings of International Conference on Architecture 2017 (ICRP-AVAN), Unsyiah (Banda Aceh) and UiTM (Perak), October 18-19, 2017, Banda Aceh, Indonesia The “Aceh Method” as a mode of “seeing” Vernacular Knowledge Julie Nichols1, Darren Fong1, Naufal Fadhil2 1School of Art, Architecture and Design, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471 Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia 2Department of Architecture and Planning, Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia *Corresponding Author: [email protected] ABSTRACT By re-envisioning Acehnese buildings through contemporary technological tools, the “Aceh Method” presents to scholars and local people a new way of seeing historical information that re-introduces a unique capture of architectural and cultural heritage. Some of the key problems informing the study of the Acehnese house are illuminated by establishing associations between information which is not normally read or interpreted together, and therefore results in new relationships or “ways of seeing” a rich heritage. The “Aceh Method” employs different forms of technology and skillsets to drive an outcome – a model of interpretation and structure which can be transferred between environments, purposes and cultures. Given Aceh’s catastrophic losses from the tsunami in 2004 particularly in terms of their people and their built cultural heritage records, a transferrable record, distributed to multiple locations offers a safeguarding and endurance of this newly recorded materials. It also offers a “way of seeing” and capturing heritage as a reference for future post-disaster reconstruction strategies. Notably a way of seeing reveals both ‘seen’ and ‘unseen’ conditions. These records will present a typology of housing well-suited to the socio-cultural and environmental conditions as well as a vernacular way of existing in the world, which may not be evident to aid workers and NGOs when they are presented with the colossal task of post-disaster reconstruction. This paper addresses origins of the Acehnese house re-presenting them from anthropological and theoretical perspectives. It reports on the fieldwork activities conducted for July 2017 that have led to the piloting of the “Aceh Method,” this involved a number of modes of capturing traditional Lambunot houses whilst this paper focuses on two of these: 1. VERNADOC – analogue measuring and drawing on site; 2. Digital capture of the surrounding environment through the gigapan tools. The villagers and their built environment are not solely the root of the study but the researchers in the field at the same time are also acknowledged as an integral part of the whole process resulting in a new way of seeing and engaging with this vernacular knowledge. This holistic method re-conceptualizes writing history through the “Aceh Method” acknowledges the curatorial and highly selective process of historiography. It embraces biases and distance from the historical artefact and subject as well as literature from western secondary sources–a reading, it is unapologetically from outsiders’ perspectives. This reading is informed by secondary sources whilst collecting and recording primary data to re- analyse the Aceh house as a microcosmic study of Acehnese built environments. Keywords: Acehnese traditional house, re-conceptualizing vernacular; anthropological architecture. INTRODUCTION According to Kamal A. Arif in his book Ragam Citra Kota Banda Aceh, the Acehnese house or Rumoh Aceh was originally conceived, from a maritime tradition as a boat-house typology. It is thought it was designed in response to an entrenched geographical association with the sea—a site of exchange, international networks and knowledge transfer for the local communities. Rumoh Aceh was also referred to as a type of stage house [elevated structure for activities of the family] that was earthquake-resistant and 6 Proceedings of International Conference on Architecture 2017 (ICRP-AVAN), Unsyiah (Banda Aceh) and UiTM (Perak), October 18-19, 2017, Banda Aceh, Indonesia designed to anticipate floods and ocean tides. (Arif, 2009). Potentially, the Rumoh Aceh and its evolving vernacular from a boat-like house to a stage-like space for daily dwelling reflects a respectful acknowledgement of the natural environment as well as a mode of dwelling bridging physical and spiritual worlds. To recast the Acehnese house as an architecture adhering to modern concerns of maritime environmental disasters, historical continuity of spiritual belief systems, repositions this vernacular knowledge as a living tradition—an anchor for socially cohesive practices for resilient communities. This is the conceptual positioning from which the “Aceh Method” – a multi-modal means of recording, measuring, and representing the traditional archetype of the Acehnese house in its existing socio-cultural context of Lambunot Village Indrapuri, is proposed. (Nusfi, 2017). Geographer Yi Fu Tuan’s notion, of what we will call, ‘seen’ conditions bring to this study of the ‘traditional’ Acehnese house another layer of interpretation to pragmatic considerations of environment. ‘Seen’ conditions are understood as representing a permanent, tangible, familiar, sentimental and sedentary attachment to place, relying on human qualities of sensory perception of their environment encompasses relationships typically explored in vernacular architectural discourse. (Tuan, 1976). These tangible experiences are related to human sensory visible spatial responses to climate. The paper also explores new ‘ways of seeing’ the house with the ‘Aceh Method,’ whereby often non- tangible relations that exist in vernacular architecture may be conceptualized as ‘unseen’ conditions. These are dynamic interconnections between the built form, as well as psychological or spiritual understandings established from ancient belief systems. The ‘Aceh Method’ acknowledges that architectural space-making theorized through these different lenses—geographic quantities of the land and sea, resonating as both physical and cosmological entities in pre-modern Indonesian cultures are necessary considerations of these house typologies. There is some debate around these origins in contemporary understandings. The ‘Aceh Method’ encourages multiple understandings through new ‘ways of seeing’ for contemporary insight. Pragmatic and ‘seen’ conditions of the sea include: the sourcing food; trading materials; food, technologies and ideas; an avenue to facilitate transport for social or religious purposes or generally as a connection to a global environment for travel and exploration. A stage house was responsive both structurally and spiritually in its demountability and varying level changes in the house. The sea was also an unknown realm, exhibiting ‘unseen’ relationships with cosmological sea creatures as part of an underworld of potentially submerged dangerous spirits. It also poses unpredictable, environmental threats to villages within its proximity. Positive connotations included being transported via the sea between cosmological worlds. The land and sea appear as design influences in the evolution of the archetype of the house. Socio-cultural practices of the local communities’ with belief systems infused by ancient Hindu references (the ‘unseen’) alongside Koranic understandings of being in the world (the ‘seen’) are conceived as a bridging of these theoretical ideas. Therefore, the Acehnese house is re-conceptualised as a precedent embodying both ‘seen’ and ‘unseen’ contributions which imbue meaning in architectural space. The qualities of the production of such space cannot be measured in terms solely of their tangible and intangible attributes but rather how they inform, unite and create social cohesion through sets of rules which enable the historical continuity of cultural relationships. The ‘Aceh Method’ provides the leverage for this holistic analysis. Firstly, through the theoretical and historical analysis, secondly onsite architectural anthropological analysis, thirdly 3-D capture through gigapan and drone mapping of context, and video capture of people in their daily lives and landscapes. Between architectural and anthropological sources the ‘Aceh Method’ revives Acehnese archetypes as a long and living tradition, exhibiting valuable cultural memories to challenge generic housing solutions which have prevailed in post-tsunami Aceh 2004. Questions around, why is the preservation of built cultural heritage important for societies who have experienced significance loss and trauma? To what extent does adhering to historically continuous ideas around built space, construction and habitation facilitate a sense of belonging and identity with a community beyond shelter but contributing to psychological and socio- cultural rehabilitation? A reconsideration of approaches to the future creation of domestic spaces for living is required. The ‘Aceh Method’ links information for new understandings which necessarily respond to socio-cultural conditions. It is a proposal to navigate desires and aspirations for modern conveniences, whilst relating to an evolving identity to continue to ‘anchor’ social resilience. 7 Proceedings of International Conference on Architecture 2017 (ICRP-AVAN), Unsyiah (Banda Aceh) and UiTM (Perak), October 18-19, 2017, Banda Aceh, Indonesia ACEH: HISTORICALLY – WAYS OF SEEING Aceh’s early urban settlements supported ethnicities ranging from Persians, Indians, Chinese, Arabs, Malays, Acehnese as an indication of some of the cultural diversity
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Phd Thesis Tamara Aberle
    Socially-engaged theatre performances in contemporary Indonesia Tamara Alexandra Aberle Royal Holloway, University of London PhD Thesis 1 Declaration of Authorship I, Tamara Alexandra Aberle, hereby declare that this thesis and the work presented in it is entirely my own. Where I have consulted the work of others, this is always clearly stated. Signed: ______________________ Date: ________________________ 2 Abstract This thesis argues that performances of contemporary theatre in Indonesia are socially- engaged, actively creating, defining and challenging the socio-political environment, and that theatre practitioners are important members of a vibrant civil society who contribute and feel actively committed to democratic processes. Following an initial chapter about the history of modern theatre from the late 19th century until the fall of President Suharto in 1998, the four core chapters centre on four different aspects of contemporary Indonesian socio-politics: historical memory and trauma, violence and human rights, environmentalism, and social transition. Each of these chapters is preceded by an introduction about the wider historical and socio-political context of its respective discourse and is followed by an analysis of selected plays. Chapter 2 focuses on historical trauma and memory, and relates the work of two theatre artists, Papermoon Puppet Theatre and Agus Nur Amal (a.k.a. PM Toh), to processes seeking truth and reconciliation in Indonesia in the post-Suharto era. Chapter 3, on violence and human rights, discusses the works of Ratna Sarumpaet and B. Verry Handayani, with a specific focus on human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and labour migration. Chapter 4 discusses environmentalism on the contemporary stage. It investigates the nature of environmental art festivals in Indonesia, taking Teater Payung Hitam’s 2008 International Water Festival as an example.
    [Show full text]
  • A Stigmatised Dialect
    A SOCIOLINGUISTIC INVESTIGATION OF ACEHNESE WITH A FOCUS ON WEST ACEHNESE: A STIGMATISED DIALECT Zulfadli Bachelor of Education (Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh, Indonesia) Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics (University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia) Thesis submitted in total fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Linguistics Faculty of Arts University of Adelaide December 2014 ii iii iv v TABLE OF CONTENTS A SOCIOLINGUISTIC INVESTIGATION OF ACEHNESE WITH A FOCUS ON WEST ACEHNESE: A STIGMATISED DIALECT i TABLE OF CONTENTS v LIST OF FIGURES xi LIST OF TABLES xv ABSTRACT xvii DECLARATION xix ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xxi CHAPTER 1 1 1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Preliminary Remarks ........................................................................................... 1 1.2 Acehnese society: Socioeconomic and cultural considerations .......................... 1 1.2.1 Acehnese society .................................................................................. 1 1.2.2 Population and socioeconomic life in Aceh ......................................... 6 1.2.3 Workforce and population in Aceh ...................................................... 7 1.2.4 Social stratification in Aceh ............................................................... 13 1.3 History of Aceh settlement ................................................................................ 16 1.4 Outside linguistic influences on the Acehnese ................................................. 19 1.4.1 The Arabic language..........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of the Military, the Bruneian Political Power and the Malay Realm (14Th – 19Th Century): from a Historical Perspective
    PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION (2021) 58(4), ISSN 1553 - 6939 Article Received: 22th November, 2020; Article Revised: 26th March, 2021; Article Accepted: 26th April, 2021 The Role of The Military, The Bruneian Political Power and The Malay Realm (14th – 19th Century): From a Historical Perspective Asbol Mail Ampuan Haji Brahim Ampuan Haji Tengah Haji Tassim Haji Abu Bakar Academy of Bruneian Studies Universiti Brunei Darussalam ABSTRACT This paper attempts to discuss the role of the military, the Bruneian political power and the traditional Malay Realm. The period investigated is between the 14th and 19th Century1. Apart from Brunei, the other countries that is considered to have been a part of the Malay Realm includes Malaysia, Indonesia, Patani in Thailand, and the Philippines. It was in these nations where the Malay Realm sultanates once existed, each with its own military, not only Brunei, but also Malacca, Aceh, Demak and Patani. The military2, in general, is defined as a group of people who are authorised to defend a country from any enemy attacks, whether it is from within the country or from external forces. They are also often ordered by a government or leader to attack other countries or certain factions, who they see as the enemy. Ketenteraan (The Military) – Malay Language Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (2020) means that it was successful in protecting the INTRODUCTION This paper attempts to discuss the role of the country’s current political powers. Thus, the military, the Bruneian political power and the defended country is regarded as sovereign and traditional Malay Realm. The period investigated is independent, free from foreign dominion.
    [Show full text]
  • Conflik and Assimilasi
    IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 20, Issue 5, Ver. II (May. 2015), PP 08-15 e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845. www.iosrjournals.org Conflict and Assimilation (Case Study of Javanese Among Acehnese in Langsa 1955-2006) Imam Hadi Sutrisno1, Mustain Mashud2, Aminah3 1Doctoral Student of Social Science Studies Program at Faculty of Social Science, University of Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia 2Professor at the Faculty of Social Science University of Airlangga Surabaya, Indonesia 3Professor at the Faculty of Social Science University of Airlangga Surabaya, Indonesia Abstract: The arrival of Javanese ethnic in Aceh known as Javanese migrants, or earlier and specific designation is koeli kontrak or werk. The civil servants (amtenar) referred the term of koeli kontrak or werk to these people. They had to face many problems in the course of their lives. They even were employed day to night with the demands of life in order to get money. Independence day was here, but the journey to the Javanese migrants in Aceh in particular, has not felt the sense of independence in reality. The first factor is how they are able to live peacefully without any disturbances from armed groups (the separatist of Aceh). This research used the method of history of sociology approach, with a temporal scope 1955-2006, and will define the partial scope from eastern of Aceh region. The research results obtained in this study is the struggleness of Javanese migrants to stay alive in Aceh by way of assimilating the cultures, but in politic and power it is still short of expectation.
    [Show full text]
  • Internal Conflict in Indonesia: Causes, Symptoms and Sustainable Resolution ISSN 1328-7478
    Department of the INFORMATION AND RESEARCH SERVICES Parliamentary Library Research Paper No. 1 2001–02 Internal Conflict in Indonesia: Causes, Symptoms and Sustainable Resolution ISSN 1328-7478 Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2001 Except to the extent of the uses permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means including information storage and retrieval systems, without the prior written consent of the Department of the Parliamentary Library, other than by Senators and Members of the Australian Parliament in the course of their official duties. This paper has been prepared for general distribution to Senators and Members of the Australian Parliament. While great care is taken to ensure that the paper is accurate and balanced, the paper is written using information publicly available at the time of production. The views expressed are those of the author and should not be attributed to the Information and Research Services (IRS). Advice on legislation or legal policy issues contained in this paper is provided for use in parliamentary debate and for related parliamentary purposes. This paper is not professional legal opinion. Readers are reminded that the paper is not an official parliamentary or Australian government document. IRS staff are available to discuss the paper's contents with Senators and Members and their staff but not with members of the public. Published by the Department of the Parliamentary Library, 2001 I NFORMATION AND R ESEARCH S ERVICES Research Paper No. 1 2001–02 Internal Conflict in Indonesia: Causes, Symptoms and Sustainable Resolution Chris Wilson Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Group 7 August 2001 Acknowledgments The author would like to thank Dr Greg Fealy, Dr Frank Frost, Derek Woolner, Dr Gary Klintworth, Andrew Chin and Doreen White for comments and assistance in the production of this paper.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 3 Colonialism and the Imagination of Pious Aceh, Ca
    VU Research Portal Becoming better Muslims Religious authority and ethical improvement in Aceh, Indonesia Kloos, D. 2013 document version Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record Link to publication in VU Research Portal citation for published version (APA) Kloos, D. (2013). Becoming better Muslims Religious authority and ethical improvement in Aceh, Indonesia. General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. • Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal ? Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. E-mail address: [email protected] Download date: 29. Sep. 2021 CHAPTER 3 COLONIALISM AND THE IMAGINATION OF PIOUS ACEH, CA. 1890-1942 ‘Here, everything speaks of struggle, resistance, hatred. Everything, except for the people.’ – Dr. J. Thijssen (1933). In May 2010 I told some friends in Juroung that I was about to leave for the West coast to conduct some interviews. I received different reactions. ‘It is very good that you go there,’ one said. ‘It is a very beautiful part of Aceh, very interesting, and very different from here.
    [Show full text]
  • Download This PDF File
    TAWARIKH:TAWARIKH: Journal Journal of Historicalof Historical Studies Studies,, VolumeVolume 12(1), 11(2), October April 2020 2020 Volume 11(2), April 2020 p-ISSN 2085-0980, e-ISSN 2685-2284 M. DIEN MADJID & JOHAN WAHYUDI The Kingdom of Linge and Contents Early Islamization in Central Aceh Foreword. [ii] ABSTRACT: Kingdom of Linge is certainly still a stranger in the history of Indonesia. This kingdom does have a reputation that is still immersed in the mud of ignorance. In fact, if explored JOHAN WAHYUDI & M. DIEN MAJID, deeper, its role is very large in the development of Islam in the central part of Aceh. In addition, The Hajj in Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam in XIX – XX AD: in a wider scope, the discourse of the history of Central Aceh is also still vaguely heard on the A Comparison Study. [91-102] national and international scene. Socialization of the story of the past of Central Aceh needs to be done. Geographically, the Kingdom of Linge is located in the Central Aceh region, Aceh Province, MOHAMMAD IMAM FARISI & ARY PURWANTININGSIH, Indonesia. Generally,th this area is inhabited by the Gayo ethnic community. The Gayo people inhabit Thethree September districts, 30 which Movement in the andpast Aftermath were part in of Indonesian this Kingdom, Collective including Memory Central Aceh Regency, andBener Revolution: Meriah ARegency, Lesson forand the Gayo Nation Lues. [103-128]Regency. The Authors used two approaches to reveal the history of Central Aceh. Firstly, the archeological approach, in which has found specimens of MARYearly O. inhabitants ESERE, of Central Aceh. Secondly, the approach of Islamic history, a study of when Islam Historicalentered OverviewCentral Aceh of Guidancewas an interesting and Counselling conversation Practices to follow.
    [Show full text]
  • Case Study of Successful Senior Citizen
    -Journal of Arts, Science & Commerce ■ E-ISSN 2229-4686 ■ ISSN 2231-4172 DOI : 10.18843/rwjasc/v8i2(1)/07 DOI URL : http://dx.doi.org/10.18843/rwjasc/v8i2(1)/07 THE DEVELOPING OF NATIONALISM IN ACEHNES LOCAL WISDOM FOR THOSE WHO RUNS THE ISLAMIC SHARIA Drs. Sulaiman, M. Si HafidhMaksum, S. Pd, M. Pd Syiah Kuala University, Serambi Makkah University, Banda Aceh, Indonesia Banda Aceh, Indonesia ABSTRACT Acehnes people, in their histories so far, are considered as strong Islam adherents. Islam not only has been sought to be upheld in the middle of society which means to implement its teaching, but also it has become the main foundation in the formation of nationalism traditions of the royal palace in the past is loaded with Islamic values, from using titles, government concept, ceremonial tradition at palace (which did not distinguish between the Islamic and the royal tradition) and various religious policies of the kingdom, especially in the 17th century. Islam was not only a source of inspiration for the development and the progress in Aceh in various fields, but also acted as the main motor in a strong resistance against the Portuguese in Malacca in the first half of the 16th century, and Dutch in during the last 19th century and early 20th century. War in the name of religion had always upheld by the community consistently. Keywords: Nationalism, Islamic Sharia. International Refereed Research Journal ■ www.researchersworld.com ■ Vol.– VIII, Issue – 2(1), April 2017 [53] -Journal of Arts, Science & Commerce ■ E-ISSN 2229-4686 ■ ISSN 2231-4172 INTRODUCTION: Nationalism is an understanding that creates and maintains the sovereignty of a country to realize the concept of general identity for a group of people (residents).
    [Show full text]
  • Power Politics and the Indonesian Military
    Downloaded by [University of Defence] at 20:05 09 May 2016 Power Politics and the Indonesian Military Throughout the post-war history of Indonesia, the military has played a key role in the politics of the country and in imposing unity on a fragmentary state. The collapse of the authoritarian New Order government of President Suharto weakened the state, and the armed forces briefly lost their grip on control of the archipelago. Under President Megawati, however, the military has again begun to assert itself, and to reimpose its heavy hand on control of the state, most notably in the fracturing outer provinces. This book, based on extensive original research, examines the role of the military in Indonesian politics. It looks at the role of the military histori- cally, examines the different ways in which it is involved in politics, and considers how the role of the military might develop in what is still an uncertain future. Damien Kingsbury is Head of Philosophical, International and Political Studies and Senior Lecturer in International Development at Deakin University, Victoria, Australia. He is the author or editor of several books, including The Politics of Indonesia (Second Edition, 2002), South-East Asia: A Political Profile (2001) and Indonesia: The Uncertain Transition (2001). His main area of work is in political development, in particular in assertions of self-determination. Downloaded by [University of Defence] at 20:05 09 May 2016 Downloaded by [University of Defence] at 20:05 09 May 2016 Power Politics and the Indonesian Military Damien Kingsbury Downloaded by [University of Defence] at 20:05 09 May 2016 First published 2003 by RoutledgeCurzon 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by RoutledgeCurzon 29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001 This edition published in the Taylor and Francis e-Library, 2005.
    [Show full text]
  • Unveiling the Mysteries of Aceh, Indonesia: Local and Global Intersections of Women's Agency Siti Kusujiarti
    Journal of International Women's Studies Volume 16 | Issue 3 Article 13 Jul-2015 Unveiling the Mysteries of Aceh, Indonesia: Local and Global Intersections of Women's Agency Siti Kusujiarti Elizabeth W. Miano Annie L. Pryor Breanna R. Ryan Follow this and additional works at: http://vc.bridgew.edu/jiws Part of the Women's Studies Commons Recommended Citation Kusujiarti, Siti; Miano, Elizabeth W.; Pryor, Annie L.; and Ryan, Breanna R. (2015). Unveiling the Mysteries of Aceh, Indonesia: Local and Global Intersections of Women's Agency. Journal of International Women's Studies, 16(3), 186-202. Available at: http://vc.bridgew.edu/jiws/vol16/iss3/13 This item is available as part of Virtual Commons, the open-access institutional repository of Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts. This journal and its contents may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling, loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. ©2015 Journal of International Women’s Studies. Unveiling the Mysteries of Aceh, Indonesia: Local and Global Intersections of Women’s Agency By Siti Kusujiarti1, Elizabeth W. Miano2, Annie L. Pryor3 and Breanna R. Ryan4 Abstract Forces of globalization, local culture, and Islam continuously inform one another and dynamically manifest in cultures across the world. Scholars often assume that these influences may have distinct and independent effects. However, we argue that these global forces occur simultaneously and they may contradict or complement each other along a spectrum within Aceh, Indonesia. The manifestations and responses vary depending on the nature of the interactions of global and local factors.
    [Show full text]
  • Islamic Acehnese Identity, Sharia, and Christianization
    DOI: 10.15642/JIIS.201Islamic Acehnese6.10.1 .Identity1-36 ISLAMIC ACEHNESE IDENTITY, SHARIA, AND CHRISTIANIZATION RUMOR A Study of the Narratives of the Attack on the Bethel Church in Penauyong Banda Aceh Al Makin1 UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Yogyakarta – Indonesia | [email protected] Abstract: This paper explores the narratives of the attack on the Bethel church (GBI/Gereja Bethel Indonesia) in Penauyong Aceh on June 17, 2012, provided for by the victims. Among these are those who hold fear of Christian missionaries, including one of the likely perpetrators, and those who dismissed these as mere rumors. After relating the incident to other violence across the nation during the reform period and to the local Aceh context, the paper delved into the interviews undertaken on July 2013, from which the sources of narratives were taken, explaining motivations behind the mob, trauma resulting from it, and other factors contributing to the incident. Through this article I argue that the sharia implementation raise the new identity formulation of Islamic Acehnese, through which the dividing line between ‘Muslims’ and others ‘non- Muslims’ is further stressed. This in turn nurtures, among other things, the sentiments among the Acehnese against the non-Muslims. Keywords: Islamic Acehnese identity, Bethel Church, violence, sharia implementation, Christianization 1 I would like to thank to the BNPT (Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Terorisme/The National Body for Preventing Terrorism) of Indonesia for funding this research. This paper describes only a small portion of the data, most of which has been submitted as a report to the BNPT. My thanks should first of all go to Noorhaidi Hasan for inviting me to take part of the project, and to Syaifudin Zuhri who was so helpful.
    [Show full text]
  • Lessons of Peace in Aceh: Administrative Decentralization and Political Freedom As a Strategy of Pacification in Aceh
    ICIP WORKING PAPERS: 2009/9 + + Lessons of peace in Aceh: administrative decentralization and political freedom as a strategy of pacification in Aceh Javier Gil Pérez www.cla-se.com www.cla-se.com Lessons of peace in Aceh: administrative decentralization and political freedom as a strategy of pacification in Aceh Javier Gil Pérez Researcher in the University Institute General Gutiérrez Mellado He has been a research associate in the Rajaratnan School of International Studies in Singapore and also visiting fellow in the Center of Strategic and International Studies of Jakarta. His areas of work are: political Islam, terrorism, new threats to security in Southeast Asia and international relations between Asia and the Middle East. [email protected] Text comissioned by the Institut Català Internacional per la Pau. Institut Català Internacional per la Pau Barcelona, desembre 2009 © 2009 Institut Català Internacional per la Pau Gran Via, 658, baix. 08010 Barcelona T. +34 93 554 42 70 | F. +34 93 554 42 80 [email protected] | www.icip.cat Editorial Board Javier Alcalde and Rafael Grasa Consell Editorial Pablo Aguiar, Alfons Barceló, Catherine Charett, Gema Collantes, Caterina Garcia, Abel Escribà, Vicenç Fisas, Tica Font, Antoni Pigrau, Xavier Pons, Alejandro Pozo, Mònica Sabata, Jaume Saura, Antoni Segura and Josep Maria Terricabras Traslation Luke Moreland Typesething Ātona, S. L. Graphic Designer Cla-se ISSN 2013.5793 (edición en línea) 2013.5785 (edición en papel) DL B-38.039-2009 All rigths reserved AbstrAct (eng) This working paper shows the evolution of the Aceh conflict until its peaceful resolution in 2005. The key factors in the success of this peace process have been the confluence of several factors related to the internal and external dynamics of the country, including the new political leadership, the decreasing role of the military power, the international support and the meeting of the objectives of both groups, and so on.
    [Show full text]