Nangroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) is one of the provinces in Indonesia located on the western tip of the island of Sumatra. The province was nicknamed the verandah of Mecca because of its cultural customs that were heavily influenced by the Islamic culture of the Arabian peninsula. One culture in the customs of Nangroe Aceh Darussalam that breathe Islamic culture for example can be found in the style of dress. Traditional clothes of Aceh for both men and women is an acculturation of Malay culture and Islamic culture so it is very unique and unfortunately to be missed.
Traditional Clothing of Aceh Aceh's traditional clothing for men is called Linto Baro, while the one for women is called Daro Baro. Both clothes are characterized on each of its parts. You can see the characteristics of parts of Aceh's customary clothing in the picture below.
Aceh Traditional Clothes for the Bride
Linto Baro was once a customary clothing worn by adult men while attending a traditional ceremony or government ceremony. This clothing is estimated to start there since the days of the kingdom of Perlak and Samudra Pasai.
Linto Baro's own shirt consists of a superstar called the Meukasah shirt, a pair of pants called siluweu, sarong cloth named ijo krong, a siwah or rencong that became a traditional weapon typical of Aceh, as well as a headgear named Meukeutop.
1. Dress Meukeusah
Meukeusah clothes are clothes made of woven silk fabrics that usually have a black base color. The black color in Aceh's customary beliefs is called a symbol of greatness. Therefore it is not uncommon Meukeusah clothes are considered as the greatness of customs of Aceh.
In the clothes meukeusah we can find a gold thread embroidery similar to the collar of China. The collar with the shape is thought to be due to the assimilation of aceh culture with Chinese culture brought by Chinese sailors and merchants in the past.
2. Sileuweu Pants
Just like the clothes, trousers worn on traditional clothes for Aceh men also black. However, pants or in Aceh Language disebt Sileuweu is made of cotton fabric. Some sources mention the name of these pants are Cekak Weasel Pants. Typical pants of Malay customs.
As an adder of dignity, civet caterpillars pants are equipped with the use of sarongs from songket fabric made from silk. Clothes called Lamjaug Lamgugap, Ija krong, or aja sangket is tied to the waist with a length of knee or 10 cm above the knee.
3. Close the Head
The influence of Islamic culture in Aceh adat is also felt by the cap as the cover of the supplementary head of traditional clothing in Aceh. These copies are named Meukeutop. Meukotop is an elongated oval skull equipped with Tangkulok winding, a coil of woven silk ornamented with 8-square stars of gold or brass material. You can see how the Meukotop form in the image below.
4. Traditional Weapons
Like most traditional clothing from other provinces, traditional Acehnese clothing is also complemented by the use of traditional weapons as a complement. Traditional Aceh weapons or Rencong generally tucked in the folds of the sarong at the waist with the handle or head protruding out.