Aceh has a unique tradition that does not exist in other regions in welcoming the holy month of Ramadan. Traditions that are celebrated two or a day before this fast are called makmeugang or meugang; buy meat, cook and eat it with family.
residents flock to the market to buy meat, then bring it home. The meat hanger that has been slaughtered, lined up on the wood in meat vendors that are especially growing today at a number of points. This unique scene can be found throughout all corners. it is not surprising that when the activity was held, some residents were paralyzed, because they dissolved with this tradition that had been handed down from generation to generation.
For the people of Aceh, meugang without buying meat is incomplete. Although prices soared drastically when meugang, the meat vendor stalls remained crowded with buyers. every family usually buys one to three kilograms of meat to eat together.
Rich people usually buy meat in large quantities, then share it with orphans or their poor neighbors. for newly married men, it would be a disgrace if Meugang did not bring home meat to his in-laws' house. Instead it will be the pride of the family, if he brings home the head of a cow or buffalo.
Meat is the main menu as a side dish of rice which is eaten with the family at the time of meugang. menus of traditionally cooked meats such as reuboh sie (boiled meat) in Aceh Besar and sie puteh (white meat) in Pidie are very easy to find in homes.
In villages where the customs are still strong, parents will forbid their children from playing to a neighbor's house or school on the day of meugang. they must eat at home.
Meugang is not only commemorated before Ramadan. A day ahead of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, this tradition is still practiced by the people of Aceh. But fasting is always more lively, because Ramadan has its own meaning for the people of the Veranda of Mecca.
"In the past, in the villages, long before the fasting month, the people had cleaned the yard and looked for firewood to the mountains to fuel cooking and fasting days," said Chairman of the Aceh Customary Council, Badruzzaman Ismail.
according to the history of Meugang, it was first commemorated during the Kingdom of Aceh Darussalam led by Sultan Iskandar Muda who ruled in 1607-1636 AD. The term makmeugang is regulated in the Qanun of Meukuta Alam Al Asyi or the Kingdom Law.
work governing the village apparatus to record the poor, then verified by the official institution (Qadhi) of the sultanate to choose those who deserve meat. The Sultan then cut lots of livestock, the meat was distributed to them free of charge. "This is a form of gratitude for the prosperity of the kingdom, the king invited his people to join in to welcome the fast," he said.
When the Dutch invaded Aceh since 1873, the kingdom lost and went bankrupt. Acehnese people keep commemorating tradition by buying meat themselves. This tradition has survived until now. "Meugang has a double meaning. Besides silaturrahmi as well as a form of joy to welcome the holy month. "