MEUGANG

That morning, at 07.00 WIB at Keude Meureudu, Pidie Jaya, residents began to flock to the market ahead of the month of Ramadan. Fresh beef or buffalo, especially the thighs piled on the bench, hung from the poles When the month of Ramadan arrives, the price of meat starts to creep up, especially in Aceh. In this province, the price of beef or buffalo has even reached its climax at prices above IDR 150 thousand per kilogram. Worse, it could reach Rp200 thousand per kilogram. This condition is of course far different from the price of beef or buffalo on weekdays which is only around IDR 130 thousand per kilogram.

However the demand remains high. Acehnese continue to hunt this beef or buffalo. This meat is an important part of the Acehnese tradition, uroe meugang to welcome Ramadan. that Ramadan without meugang will feel very bland in Aceh. This celebration is not obligatory, but it is a habit

This tradition has been held in Aceh for hundreds of years and is still being preserved today. This tradition has been started since the leadership of Sultan Alaiddin Iskandar Muda Meukuta Alam. "At that time the Sultan held a large number of cattle slaughtering events and the meat was distributed to the people. The meugang celebration has several dimensions of Islamic values and the customs of the Acehnese people. The first value is religious value, second, the value of sharing others. "In fact, this meugang celebration is a moment for rich people to give alms to the poor and orphans, especially those around their place of residence.

Third, the value of togetherness. This implies that the meugang tradition is important because on that day there will be a gathering of people in the village with those who have just returned from overseas. On that meugang day, people eat a variety of dishes made from beef and buffalo together at the house of their parents or elders in their family. Then, the fourth meaning of "meugang" is paying respect to both parents. "This also implies that a child, especially those living overseas, misses meat dishes from their parents, so that sometimes they go back to their hometown every Meugang day. the sunnah of the Prophet, namely the Prophet Muhammad, about the joy of Muslims when welcoming the holy month.