The culture of betel eating lives in Southeast Asia. Supporters of this culture consists of various groups, including the lower society, state officials, and the palace.
At this time betel is very well known in the Malay community. In addition to being eaten by the common people, betel is also known as a cultural symbol and becomes an integral part of Malay customs. Betel is used in welcoming ceremonies, ceremonials and wedding ceremonies, wedding ceremonies, traditional treatments, and other traditional ceremonies. In the wedding ceremony, the betel is arranged in the form of a beautiful junjung betel, and together with the betel nut is used as a delivery item to the bride. In the official ceremony of the greatness of the palace, betel junjung used as an ornament that enliven the atmosphere. Betel junjung was also taken as the head of a traditional procession.
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.