The Forgotten Dance of Aceh

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One part of the culture and custom of Aceh is dance seudati. According to some people of Aceh the word "seudati" comes from the word "syahadati" (Arabic) which means testimony, and others say the word" "seudati "comes from the word "seurasi" which means harmonious.

Historically, dance "seudati" began to be developed since Islam entered into Aceh. At the time of "suedati" dance used and used as a medium of da'wah in order to develop and spread Islam throughout the archipelago.

Dance "seudati" thrive in Pase, Pidie, and Aceh Timur. However, at this time this dance is no longer in demand by the community if any dance "seudati" is held then no longer anyone to come to watch dance "seudati". This is unfortunate, as time goes by the existence of some parts of the Acehnese culture disappears.

Though this dance teaches us (the people of Aceh) on how to solve a problem together.

Initially, this "seudati" dance is synonymous with a coastal dance called "ratoh" or "ratoih", which means to tell. This dance is performed for the fun when the harvest season arrives on a full moon night.

In all sorts of things are told from the sad story, the joy, the advice, to the exciting stories. The religious leaders of Islam who brought and developed Islam in Aceh were mostly Arabs. Therefore, most of the terms used in in seudati generally come from Arabic, such as "syeh" (leader), Saman which means eight, and poem meaning sing.Kesemua term comes from Arabic.

What a pity in this modern era, the dance seudati have been replaced by the culture karoeke, or cyberspace, as if they are no longer entertained by dance seudati.

Thanks and Best Regards