This house is one of the historical and cultural heritage of Aceh. It is the property of Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahim al-Asyi who lived in the 18th century. Shaikh was an ulama and a scholar of Aceh that was sent by the Sultan of that time to open an educational institution (university) on the north coast of Aceh.
'Abd Al-Rahim then take place for the educational institutions on the eastern bank of the river Peusangan in Bireuen. He chose a place some distance from the coast to ensure the comfort of teaching and learning activities, and also to establish a new cultural center in the hinterland of Aceh. The house is located in the Village Awe Geutah, Bireuën Regency, of Aceh. And the people there, they call this historic house as Rumoh Tengku Chik di Awe Geutah (meaning: grand shaykhs house in Awe Geutah)
In addition to house built in the 18th century, there was also seen several other buildings used for educational facilities and everything was intact as before. Traditional house which is the cultural heritage and civilization shows the uniqueness of spectacular architecture Aceh.
Traditional Acehnese house, in general, is designed to resistant to earthquakes and other natural disasters such as floods. Similarly, the home of Sheikh 'Abd Al-Rahim Al-Asyi. The house has gone through a long period and remains intact to this day. The wood used to build the houses also of wood chosen, the wood of the kind of strong, resistant to weathering and can not be destroyed by termites or other wood destroying insect.
Moreover, the most amazing creations on the house that is a very special art ornaments. Ornaments found in this traditional the house shows a high level of ability and diligence of the artists that is make it. That also shows how the artists inspired nature where they lived to be presented in the form of their art that is special.
This historic house, now, was set to be cultural heritage that protected, and often visited by people who want to know Aceh and its history in more depth. And this house is also featuring a living wisdom about how to live and cultured in a rich nature biodiversity as well as areas prone to earthquakes and other natural disasters. The human mind of Aceh, has found a harmony order to live in a region most unstable nature.
CISAH have the opportunity to visit this spectacular ancient house and talk to the family of Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahim al-Asyi. Here are the pictures of the visit.
Grand shaykhs house in Awe Geutah, Bireuën Regency, of Aceh
We were sitting under the house.
And talking with family of Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahim al-Asyi.
The stairs and the entrance of the house.
We had to duck when entering. It was an attitude that leads a person to be humble and polite when visiting someone's home.
Inside the house.
An old crate placed in a corner of the house.
And a cupboard that holds many old manuscripts.
A chart listing families name of Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahim al-Asyi.
We sat back inside the house to talk with family of Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahim al-Asyi.
Here are some ornaments on the house of Sheikh 'Abd Al-Rahim Al-Asyi.
One other building that is used for learning and teaching, that is has a similar ornaments.
Unique ornaments on the ring of old wells that have been broken.
Thank you
And:
Chairman of CISAH, Abel (Abdul Hamid)
