Rencong or Rincong or Rintjoeng is an heirloom weapon for the people of Aceh and is a symbol of courage, might, self-defense and Aceh's heroism from century to century. According to one source Rencong was known in the early Islamic Sultanate in the 13th century.
In the era of the Kingdom of Aceh Darussalam this rencong was never separated from almost every waist (always tucked in the front waist) the people of Aceh who on average had extraordinary courage both men and women because this rencong for the Acehnese was like a soldier with a rifle which was a symbol of courage, greatness, At this time Rencong has a level that is characteristic of the strata of society, for a Raj/Sulthan and Ratu/Sulthanah for the sheath is made of ivory and for the dagger is made of gold to the lower strata of society, the sarong is made of buffalo horn or wood and the dagger is made of brass or white iron depending on the economic capacity of each.
Aceh as an important military power in the Malay world, with very important weapons. Due to international relations with the western world, the form of rencong also began to follow its development, especially Turkey and the Indian subcontinent. Rencong also has similarities with the blade used by Turkish soldiers during the time of Sultan Mahmud of the Ottoman Empire of Turkey and also the Mughal scimitar of some people with the style of rapiers and daggers (Caucasians) hanging from a belt on the hanging wall of Madras, India 1610-1620.
Dutch sources Referring to Acehnese weapons in the 14th century. Examples of these weapons can be seen in book illustrations both on the Dutch colonial war produced by the Documentation Data Center and in Aceh in 1977.
A popular magazine article stated that the rencong form was invented in Aceh in the 16th century during the time of Sultan AI Kahar, the Sultan who had close relations with the Ottoman Turkish Caliph, when he asked for help in attacking the Portuguese.
According to one source as well, in the 18th century literary hero Pocut Muhammad ordered to make as many rencong as possible because of the stockpiling of steel, this rencong can be seen in the Prague Museum, Czech Republic. The most valuable Rencong from the 19th century with Arabic script engraving is in the Jakarta museum.
In the past, the Islamic symbolism of rencong has been associated with Holy War or jihad. With the power of arms in hand and belief in the power of Allah. Rencong seems to have supernatural powers, so the people of Aceh are very famous for the saying:
"Tatob ngon reuncong jeuet Ion peu-ubat, nyang saket that is tapansie Haba."
During the Aceh era expelling the Portuguese from all Sumatra and Malacca lands and the Dutch colonial period, rencong was a deadly weapon besides swords and rifles used on the battlefield, not only by the Sultan, Admiral, Pang, Pang sagoe, Uleebalang, Teuku, Teungku Agam. , Sayed, Habib Cut Ampon , Cut Abang (men) but also Teungku Inong, Syarifah, Cut Kak, Cut Adoe, Cut Putroe, Cut Nyak (women). This weapon is tucked in the front waist of every Acehnese mighty man and woman as a sign of strength and height of dignity, as well as a symbol of self-defense, courage, greatness, and heroism against the Dutch colonialists.
In the struggle and battle against the Portuguese and the Dutch, history records the big names of Acehnese heroes and heroes, such as Tgk Umar, Panglima Polem, Teungku Chik Ditiro, Admiral Malahayati, Pocut Meurah Intan, Pocut Baren, Cut Nyak Dhien, Cut Meutia, and Tengku Fakinah who did not let go of the rencong from his waist.
Rencong has the meaning of religious and Islamic philosophy, the handle which is in the form of Arabic letters is taken from the equivalent of the word Bismillah. The equivalent word can be seen in the curved handle then thickens at the elbow. The rencong handle is in the shape of the letter BA, the handle where the grip is held is the SIN script, the taper that drops down at the base of the iron near the handle is the MIM script, the sharp iron base near the handle which resembles iron bars from the base of the handle to near the end symbolizes the LAM script. The bottom of the sarong has the shape of the letter HA, so that all the letters "BA, SIN, MIM, LAM, HA", the arrangement of the letters that are read form the sentence Bismillah. This is a symbol that shows the characteristics of the Acehnese people who strongly adhere to the glory of Islamic teachings.