Serambi Mecca gave birth to a tough female character named Keumalahayati at the end of the 15th century AD, just as Aceh reached its peak of glory.Keumala means gloriously luminous stone, whose lifetime is known as the first female admiral in the world at war in the sea, as well as the world's first female muslim admiral . Before Kartini strives for gender equality, Keumalahayati has been thinking about the concept of women's emancipation.
Although his name is not as famous as Cut Nyak Dhien, Cut Meutia, or Christina Martha Tiahahu in Indonesian historical literature, his name is aligned with Semiramis, Empress of King Babilonis and Katherina II of the Russian Empire. Football terjangnya no doubt in the international world. Even Elizabeth I of England was afraid to fight against Aceh, and chose diplomatic steps.
He lived in the time of the Kingdom of Atjeh Darussalam led by Sultan Alaiddin Ali Riayat Shah IV who ruled between the years 1589-1604 M. When viewed from the genealogy Keumalahayati, can be ascertained that he came from the blue blood, which is the Royal palace family. As the saying goes the fruit falls not far from the tree. His father and grandfather Malahayati had once been a Navy Admiral, which caused him to get the blood of his father and grandfather's great sailor's influence on his personal development.
Because the father and his grandfather were a naval commander, the maritime soul could be inherited by Malahayati. Despite her being a woman, she also wanted to be a brave sailor like her father and grandfather.
His military career shone as he led Inong Balee's troops to attack Dutch troops. He was also involved in a one-on-one fight on the deck of the ship with the warlord at the time, the notorious General Cornelis de Houtman. It was in the hands of Keumalahayati that Cornelis de Houtman was killed, September 11, 1599.