Betel Aceh
Betel leaf in Aceh called Ranub. Ranub plays an important role in the life of the Acehnese. Ranub that has been spiked with lime, sliced pinang, and gambir then chewed as a complementary food.
The preparation procession from picking the leaves up to present them is visualized into a very dynamic and artistic dance movement. This movement that eventually became the traditional dance from Aceh called Dance Ranub Lampuan. Serving guests in the Aceh tradition is an expression of respect.
But we never pay close attention to what lies behind all the activities associated with ranub. Ranub for the people of Aceh is not just a plant that has physical benefits alone. But behind that there are various interpretations of poly-interpretation, because in understanding it ranub become multi-symbol symbol.
Its meaning is socially and culturally used in many ways and various activities. Ranub with all his equipment played an important role during the sultanate of Aceh, in the great ceremonies of the sultan.
In addition, in its development, ranub also occupies an important role in life cycle system (life cycle) of Aceh society. If there are official occasions, such as weddings, celebration of circumcision, even in burial even corpses, ranub seems to be a mandatory meal. So that there are assumptions, customs and ranub into two things that can not be separated in Aceh.
From the time before childbirth ie when the pregnancy reaches seven or eight months, in-laws have been working on a midwife to welcome the birth of the baby. Parent-in-law and his own mother usually prepare also a gift that will be given to the midwife at the time of delivering rice as a sign of approval.
This sign is called peunulang, meaning life or death of this person submitted to the midwife. After receiving peunulang, there is an obligation for the midwife to visit at any time. Sometimes sometimes there are those who stay until the baby is born. Usually the gift given to the midwife, among others, such as, rkub kick (ingredients ranub), clothes sesalin (usually one stel), and money perfunctory.
By the time the baby is born, there is a cutting of the umbilical cord with a nil, then treated with traditional medicine such as charcoal, turmeric, and saliva. The ceremony associated with other life cycle which uses ranub as one of its medium is ceremony between the teachings.
The marriage ceremony in the Acehnese community also uses the ranub in the series of ceremonies. After seulangke got word from the girl's father, then convey good news to the youth family, determined what time or day to bring ranub kong haba, meaning ranub reinforcement or marriage agreement (engaged).
Then the youth's family collects the proper people in the village and then tells the intent that it is asked to the proper people to go to the house of the girl's father to marry the girl and if granted continue to be submitted ranub kong haba or engagement sign by determining how much the dowry (jiname / jeulamee).
In Aceh's social relations, ranub also has important functions and roles, among others, to respect the guests. At the same time to establish the intimacy and feeling of solidarity of the group, as well as a medium to dampen / resolve conflicts and maintain social harmony.
Become a Symbol
With regard to customs presenting the ranub, ranub can be interpreted as a symbol of humility and deliberately glorifying guests or others even though he himself is a brave and warmhearted.
A form of betel leaf (as an iconic aspect) in this connection can be referred to the indexic aspect is a spicy and spicy flavor. Symbolic in it is a humble and brave nature. Ranub is also considered to have meaning as a source of peace and social warmth. This is illustrated during deliberations to resolve disputes, peace ceremonies, peusijuek ceremonies, meu-uroh, and other ranub ceremonies present in the middle.
All forms of ceremony that always begins by presenting ranub before the ceremony begins. In the social ethics of Acehnese society, guests (jamee) must always be served and respected in a special way.
This is because all aspects of Acehnese life have been influenced by Islamic teachings which are standardized in customs and customs.
While Bate Ranub (puan) who becomes the container symbolizes the beauty of character and noble character. The container as a whole that symbolizes the nature of the density.
So in the future this ranub packaging modification needs to be considered, how the children of Aceh are not familiar with the culture of ranub eaters are now consuming drugs and products outside for modern imaging, even though in the place of origin the food was already considered..
