Kota Takengon, the capital of Central Aceh Regency in Aceh Province, Indonesia, is not only known for its beautiful nature with the exoticism of Lake Laut Tawar which is iconic. This area is also known for having delicious coffee with natural fertilizers and is a supplier of coffee for world-famous coffee shops known as Gayo coffee. One of the characteristics of Gayo coffee is that it does not use chemical fertilizers, but uses natural fertilizers.
Coffee is also an attraction for tourists visiting Takengon and the surrounding areas with cold climates such as Bener Meriah and Gayo Lues. Don't go to Takengon if you don't drink coffee. That's what many people say.
So, besides enjoying the beautiful and cool nature, don't forget to drink coffee and buy Gayo coffee powder as a souvenir.
In addition to the natural beauty and delicious coffee, Takengon is also known for the exoticism of didong art, a traditional art that is still preserved until now. In the era of artificial intelligence, traditional art is increasingly foreign to its owners, especially among the younger generation.
Well, one of the efforts to preserve the traditional art of didong in Tanah Gayo is to hold competitions held every year, such as the Kopi Gayo Didong Runcang event which is often held at Taman Inen Mayak Teri, in the center of Takengon City.
The didong competition performances are held at night interspersed with poetry readings. The didong group, which comes from various sub-districts in Central Aceh Regency, consists of young people of junior high school and high school age. It is touching to see teenagers loving didong since their teenage years.
I used a Canon SLR D-100 camera when photographing didong artists in action amidst the gaze of hundreds of spectators. I did not have adequate telephoto and limited camera light. However, because in the #monomad photo frame, color becomes less important. Beauty can still be enjoyed in black and white.
In the middle of the audience, bonfires are seen set up at several points. Unfortunately, the bonfires do not look beautiful because the red color turns white in black and white photos. But in several other objects, #monomad looks more beautiful and more exotic.
Didong art is a typical art of the Gayo people that combines vocal art, dance, oral literature, and theater art. This art is performed by men in groups. They read poetry in the Gayo language and perform movements with minimalist but distinctive expressions. The artists usually perform the movements while sitting.
There are no musical instruments in didong art, the artists only clap their hands rhythmically but it sounds beautiful. Other instruments used are drums and pillows. Hitting the pillow and clapping hands produce beautiful and impressive sounds.
The poems read contain moral and religious messages, as well as other things that are trending in society. Didong performances are usually held until morning and the audience remains in their place.[]
