Meugang in Aceh

Indonesia is a country with multietnic and various culture, not aside from Aceh, which located at the end of Indonesian west archipelago. Aceh famous with it traditions and cultures. One of it tradition is Meugang day.

Meugang is a tradition of cooking meat and enjoy it together with family, friends and orphan children. Meugang only held in Aceh. This tradition only held three times in a year, that are a day before ramadhan, a day before Idul Fitri, and a day before Idul Adha. Usually the society slaughter beef and goat meat to cook in meugang. Besides, the society also slaughter chicken and duck. Meugang in village usually held a day before ramadhan and Eid, while in city it held two days before ramadhan and Eid. Society cook the meat in their own house, after that it is brought to meunasah to eat together. The society who go to meunasah usually adult men and children.

The tradition of meugang was held since hundred years ago in Aceh. It began when the kingdom of Aceh, Sultan Inskandar Muda period. He slaughtered the meat in a lot of number and than gave it free to all of his society.  This was done because of his thanks to God because of prosperity of his society. Untill this era, meugang still be held by Aceh society. Every meugang day, each family cook the meat to eat for all of family member.

The tradition and culture of meugang in Aceh have to be preserved, in order to make it as cultural legacy of Aceh to the next Aceh generation.