The Acehnese (also Achinese) are a people in Aceh, Indonesia. Their homeland is located in the northern-most tip of the island of Sumatra and had a history of political struggle against the Dutch. Their language, the Acehnese, belongs to the Western Malayo-Polynesian branch of the Austronesian language family.

They were at one time Hinduized, as is evident from their traditions and the many Sanskrit words in their language. They have been Muslims for several centuries and are generally the most conservative^{[clarification needed]} Muslim ethnic group in Indonesia.

Traditionally, there have been a large number of Acehnese agriculturists, metal-workers and weavers. Traditionally matrilocal, their social organization is communal. They live in gampôngs, which combine to form districts known as mukims.

Aceh came to international attention as being one of the hardest-hit regions of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake with 120,000 people dead.

Contents 1 Overseas Acehnese 2 Dances 3 See also 4 Notes 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Overseas Acehnese

Due to conflict since Dutch invasion to Aceh until Martial Law in Aceh and 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake, many Acehnese fled abroad. The most significant number of Acehnese can be found in Malaysia^[1][2] and Scandinavia^[3] countries. Acehnese immigrant also can be found significantly in Singapore^[4], Thailand^[5], Australia, United States^[6] and Canada.

[edit] Dances

• Likok Pulo
• Rapa'i Gèlèng
• Ratéb Meuseukat
• Seudati

[edit] See also

• Insurgency in Aceh
• Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam
• Sultanate of Aceh
• List of Acehnese people

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Nasib Masyarakat Aceh di Malaysia
2. ^ 25.000 Pengungsi Tsunami Aceh Di Malaysia Harus Pulang
3. ^ Masyarakat Aceh di Skandinavia
4. ^ "Bagaimana GAM Melobi Internasional". Archived from the original on 2009-10-24. http://www.webcitation.org/5klXvGJyy. 
5. ^ Aceh Negeri Bayangan
6. ^ Ingin Mati di Kampung, Rela Lepas Rumah-Mobil di Harrisburg

[edit] References

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.

[edit] External links

• Ethnologue.com on Aceh language

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