By: Rahmat Fadillah )*
President Joko Widodo, in his program which focuses on preserving Indonesian culture and history, received support from various parties, including Aneuk Muda Aceh Unggul Besar (AMANAH) through their initiative in Gampong Pade. This program initiated by AMANAH is a strategic step in supporting President Jokowi’s vision, especially in terms of preserving local cultural heritage. Collaboration between AMANAH, the Student Executive Board of Syiah Kuala University (BEM USK), and Aceh Coastal Development in the activity “Traveling in Aceh: Traversing the History of Aceh in Gampong Pade” aims to revive the history of Aceh and introduce local cultural values to the next generation. young people who tend to forget historical roots.
This travel program provides an opportunity for the younger generation, especially students, to learn more about Aceh’s historical heritage. Participants were invited to tour Gampong Pade, which is known as one of the historical places in Aceh, to see firsthand various important sites that reflect the glory of Aceh’s civilization in the past. This activity is not just a historical tour, but also functions as a means of education and reflection for participants, so that they understand how important it is to maintain their cultural identity.
The Head of Gampong Pade Village, Deo Fiscia Erjiansyah, expressed his pride in the collaboration carried out by AMANAH. In the midst of the digital era and rapid modernization, according to him, it is very rare to find young people who are interested and care about local history. Deo appreciated the AMANAH initiative which has brought Aceh’s young people back to understanding where they come from. Deo feels proud because in this millennial era it is very rare to see young people who are interested in history. With this program, Deo hopes that the younger generation will be able to know their origins better, so that the younger generation will not only focus on the future, but also appreciate the history that shaped the younger generation.
Deo hopes that this type of historical travel program can continue in the future. According to him, this program not only increases historical awareness, but also strengthens the sense of identity of Aceh’s young generation. Deo also hopes that this program can be a starting point for more activities that educate the younger generation about the history of Aceh. According to him, we must revive our history, and AMANAH has paved the way for that.
Apart from that, the Chair of the Aceh History Concern Society, Mizuar Mahdi, who was also the guide in this activity, emphasized the importance of collaboration like this to reintroduce Aceh’s history to the younger generation. Mizuar explained that the historical sites in Gampong Pade are important traces of the religious and social activities of the Acehnese people in the past. Mizuar stated that the historical traces in Gampong Pade are proof of Aceh’s past glory. According to him, this is not just about the physical site, but also about the values contained in it, and that is what needs to be reintroduced to the younger generation.
Furthermore, Mizuar said that AMANAH’s collaboration in this walking activity had a positive impact in introducing Aceh’s identity to the younger generation, as well as reminding them of the important role of history in shaping the future. He also thanked AMANAH for the support provided so that this program could run well and received a positive response from the participants. Mizuar added that with more involvement from the younger generation, Aceh’s historical heritage will remain alive and become an important part of Aceh’s identity.
The program “Traveling in Aceh: Traversing the History of Aceh in Gampong Pade” is a clear example of how history can be revived through collaboration between the community, academics and institutions that care about cultural preservation. Participants were not only invited to visit historical sites, but were also involved in discussions about the importance of preserving and caring for this heritage so that it is not lost to time.
This initiative carried out by AMANAH together with BEM USK and Aceh Coastal Development is in line with President Jokowi’s vision to preserve and introduce cultural heritage throughout Indonesia. President Jokowi has repeatedly emphasized the importance of preserving and caring for the nation’s rich history so that it remains alive among the younger generation. This program is a concrete manifestation of efforts to answer the challenges faced in preserving and promoting local history amidst changing times.
AMANAH’s collaboration with various parties in this walking program has paved the way for the younger generation to become more involved in preserving Aceh’s history. In the long term, it is hoped that this walking program will encourage more similar initiatives in other areas of Aceh. Not only to introduce local history, but also to strengthen collaboration between educational institutions, government and society in maintaining Aceh’s cultural riches.
Historical heritage must not only be preserved, but also introduced to the younger generation so that they can appreciate it and develop it in the future. Aceh’s rich and magnificent history must not be forgotten, and through collaborations like this, it is hoped that the young generation of Aceh can continue to maintain and preserve the heritage that has been passed on to the younger generation.
)* Acehnese Culture and History Researcher – Greater Aceh Cultural Heritage Institute