The History of Rencong Aceh

Aceh is located on the line of international trade. Although Aceh already gave many residents before the Common Era, its culture cannot be traced any further. At the beginning of the century, the people of Aceh had developed as the other tribes in Indonesia. The development kept going along with the sea transport. The advance made Islam broadcasters coming to the land, of whom most of them were merchants.

There is no clear elucidation upon the history of the invention of rencong. At first, a wide range of tools was based on its shape, usability, and easiness of human life, particularly in the hunting. This assumption is based on the findings such as a harsh hand-held axe on the Old Stone Age (Palaeolithic), a slippery axe in transitional age (Mesolithic), a functional and aesthetic axe on the Young Stone Age (Neolithic).

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The human needs are rely heavily on the nature and their environment. Before the Islamic era, the people of Aceh already used a variety of equipment in their socio-cultural life. Axes, knives, spears, and other sharp tools, were the example of the equipment. Originally, rencong was a knife, which had evolved its aesthetic. It achieved its perfection since the coming of Islam to Indonesia and the advance of Kingdom of Pasai in the 13th century.

Considering their location on the line of the international sea trade, the Kingdom of Pasai needed the military forces having strong defence strategy and an adequate war equipment to be able to defend themselves from the threat of any enemies or to face the war. In addition to the use of cannon and sword, the people of Aceh also used another traditional weapon like rencong, in fighting the colonialism.

In the history of Aceh, the broadness of war weapons was varied. The armaments of war were not only swords or stabbing weapons. The use of rencong as a weapon to fight the enemies began to be used for the first time when Aceh was having war against Portuguese. It was occurred when Sultan Ali Muqhayat Syah ruled the Kingdom of Aceh in 1514-1528 CE. Beside to fighting the enemies, rencong was also being a part of particular great ceremonies.

The need to expand the broadness of war weapons became very vital considering the rising of Aceh military power in the region occupying by Malay people. Aceh established the relationship with west and east countries. One of the countries was Turkey. When Sultan Ali Riayat Syah AL-Qahhar (928-946 Islamic Calendar/1537-1568 CE) ruled the Kingdom of Aceh Darussalam, he made a relationship with the Sultan of Turkey, Sultan Salim Chan. The Sultan sent 40 cannon-specialist soldiers and horses to Aceh. Moreover, Sultan Mansur Syah (985-993 Islamic Calendar/1577-1588 BE) continued the relationship with the Sultan of Turkey, Sultan Abdul Hamid Chan. The relationship was marked by the parcel sending. Turkey claimed that they gave help to the Kingdom of Aceh. The relationship between the Kingdom of Aceh and Turkey gave good influence, particularly for the military field. The form of rencong was likely influenced by the countries like Turkey and India. The blade form of rencong is similar the swords of Turkey called kilij. The dagger belonging to Sultan Mahmud I made from emerald has a curved shape. It is similar to rencong. However, the size of kilij is bigger than the size of rencong Aceh.

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The people of Moghul also have scimitar, a shorter stabbing weapon comparing to rencong. In Madras, there is a wall painting aged 1610 to 1620 BE. On the painting, there are graceful men with sword and dagger hung at their waist. Either through trading or through sharing the same faith, the relationship between the Kingdom of Aceh and the Kingdom of Moghul might influence the form of rencong.

Furthermore, the development of the form of the rencong began to find its perfect form. It can be seen from its form that oriented to the Islamic belief as a religion. The belief is very influential in the socio-cultural life of the people of Aceh. Generally, the study of rencong focuses on its manufacturing process. There is no chronological record or information related to the development of rencong Aceh. However, the stories collected from the Acehnese people of the rencong can be used to supplement the facts obtained through written sources telling the history of rencong Aceh.

At the time of the reign of Sultan Ali Mughayat Syah and his successor, rencong had been used as a weapon of war. In that moment, the forging places of rencong were located in every region in Aceh, particularly in Great Aceh (Kampung Pande, Lam Blang, Sibreh, Ulee Kareng, Lampakuk), Pidie (Peukan Pidie, Kampung Aree, Uno), North Aceh (Matang Geulumpang Dua, Gedong, Lhok Sukon, Panton Labu), East Aceh (Peureulak, Idi, Simpang Ulim, Manyak Payet), Blang Pidie, Meulaboh, and Calang.

Pandee-pandee beusoe (the blacksmiths) also spread almost all over Aceh. In addition to making machetes, hoes, spears, and anklets for beef or buffalo, the blacksmiths also made rencong in their forging place. It shows that rencong plays a great role in socio-cultural life of the Acehnese people, specifically as the weapon to defend themselves. Although siwah and sword had ever played an important role in the history of Aceh, the Acehnese people still gloried rencong as the traditional weapon of Aceh. It is considered to its use and unique shape. Beside to having Islamic elements, rencong is also associated with the efforts of Jihad, especially when Acehnese people fought the Dutch. Using rencong in a war was considered as conducting a holy war. It also becomes a symbol of valour and loyal comrades, which truly accompanies the wielder when facing the enemies.