Traditional Aceh Weapons
1.Traditional weapons rencong.
In addition to functioning as a weapon, for the native Acehnese, rencong is also regarded as a symbol of identity. The courage, resilience, and dignity of the people of Aceh are manifested in the form and design of this dagger's weapon. Given in its history, rencong known to be used since the time of the Sultanate of Aceh, precisely during the reign of Sultan Ali Mughaya Shah. In those days, rencong always tucked in the waist of the First Sultan, the Ulee Balang (nobility), and the community as a means to maintain self-salvation. Especially for the rencong belonging to Sultan Ali Mughaya Syah until now we can still meet in the Museum of Aceh as one of the collections and displays. Rencong has a handle and serangka (sarong) made of gold or ivory. While rencong commonly used by the general public is usually made of wood or buffalo horn.
Based on its form, rencong as a traditional Aceh weapon can be found in 4 types, namely rencong meucugek, rencong meupucok, rencong pudoi, and rencong meukuree.
Rencong meupucok is rencong with small handles at the bottom and enlarged onto it. The upper rencong handle is usually dotted with gold carvings and the edges are decorated with elephant or horn tusks.
Rencong meucugek is rencong with a curved handle (almost elbow) toward the eye rencong. This type of rencong has such a form to facilitate the hand of the holder in using it when performing self-defense.
Rencong meukuree is rencong equipped with carvings in the eyes. The carvings can be flower, centipede, leaf, snake, or various other flora and fauna.
4.Rencong pudoi is a regular rencong whose handles are not equipped with variations. This type of rencong is widely used as an instrument of resistance of the people of Aceh while fighting against Dutch colonialism.
2.Siwah traditional weapons.
In addition to rencong, Aceh also has Siwah as one of its traditional weapon variants. Siwah actually has a form and function that is almost similar to rencong. The difference, siwah larger. In the past, siwah was also used as a means of self-protection and a means of struggle against Dutch colonialism. However, it can also be found this weapon as an outfit of the Ulee Balang. Siwah used by the nobility is usually equipped with gold ornaments and gem statues on the sheath and the handle. Here is a picture of siwah as one of Aceh's traditional weapons which is now quite difficult to find.
3.Traditional weapons of peudeung Other traditional Aceh weapons are Peudeung or Sword of Aceh. These weapons are commonly used as a complement in combat. If usually rencong grasped in the left hand as a tool pierced (puncture), peudeung grasped in the right hand as a diversionary tool as well as for chopper and pentetak opposing body. The picture below is a picture of Aceh peudeung that can be a picture of the shape or form of this weapon.
Based on the shape of the handle, the peony of aceh is divided into 3 types, namely peak jingki tumpak, ulee meu-apet, and ulee tapak guda. Peugeung overlapping has the shape of a handle like an open mouth, peeeung ulee meu apet has a handle that there is anchoring (apet) so as not to easily escape, while peeleung ulee tapak guda has a handle that resembles the horse's hooves.