Meugang - An Acehnese Tradition Since The Era of Sultan Iskandar Muda

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Meugang is a tradition that has existed and has been rooted in Acehnese society for hundreds of years. If we examine the historical literature of Aceh in the past, this meugang tradition has existed since the time of the Kingdom of Aceh during the time of Sultan Iskandar Muda in the 16th century AD.

The meugang tradition has been running since that time and has been passed down from generation to generation to this day throughout the Aceh region. This is as expressed by an Acehnese anthropologist, Muhajir Al-Fairusi that this meugang is a sign for prosperity. The origin of the word Meugang, from the word "Makmu Gang" which means (every alley, or alley in Aceh must be prosperous on that day). In the past, the Sultans of Aceh, would ensure that all their people could eat meat, and ensure that all their people were ready to welcome the month of Ramadan with prosperous and full of joy.

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On that day, morning and evening, to be precise the day before the holy month of Ramadan, almost all Acehnese do a meugang tradition, and usually on that day the Acehnese always smoke their kitchens to cook meat. And so also, on the day before the two holidays or Eid, namely Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. However, there are also some residents who do not eat meat and are replaced with chicken, duck or others.

In the current condition of Acehnese society, Meugang still plays an important role for all levels of society in Aceh. This is considered in accordance with the advice of Islam, that the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan should be greeted with gratitude and joy, as well as the holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. If on normal days, the people of Aceh usually enjoy food from seafood, then welcoming this special day, namely Meugang Day, the people of Aceh eat the best beef or beef to be served. Although the main dish in the Meugang tradition is beef, there are also people who choose their menu of dishes from mutton, chicken and duck. Meugang is usually held three times a year, two days before the month of Ramadan, two days before Eid al-Fitr and two days before Eid al-Adha.

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Hopefully this good tradition will always exist and continue and be preserved by all Acehnese people. The philosophical value that we can take from this meugang tradition is actually a sense of concern for others and also as a form of expression of gratitude to God for wanting to welcome a very special day.