Museum Nasional Indonesia
Developed as part of the Koleksi Kita project, with support from the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP)
Keuneubah Aceh
Explore the hidden stories of objects collected during the Dutch War in Aceh and their meanings for communities today
ReadThe National Museum of Indonesia cares for thousands of objects from Aceh, many of which were collected during the Dutch War in Aceh War (ca. 1873–1912).
The histories of many of these objects are incomplete. Their places of origin, how they were used, and the circumstances under which they were taken into the museum are not always fully known.
Bringing together museum documentation, research, and consultation with connected communities, this exhibition traces the journeys of these objects.
Journey to Aceh
Our story starts in Aceh, the northernmost region of Sumatra, Indonesia.
Photograph of Erni Juwita (2025) by Nico SibaraniMuseum Nasional Indonesia
Diverse Cultures of Aceh
Aceh is home to diverse cultural and linguistic communities. These include the coastal areas and port cities such as Banda Aceh, as well as the highland communities of Gayo and Alas.
In this recording, Erni Juwita sings Datu Êmpu Bêru in Gayo language.
The Landscape of Aceh
From coastal plains, the landscape of Aceh rises to mountain ranges and rainforests in the highlands. Lakes and rivers weave throughout the region.
Chapter 1: The Beginning of the Dutch War In Aceh
In this section of the exhibition we explore the origins and development of the Dutch War in Aceh, the tactics developed by the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL), Acehnese resistance, and how the war is remembered in Aceh today.
Aceh's Strategic Location
The Sultanate of Aceh [1496–1903], strategically located along the Malacca Strait, played an important role in regional and international trade. By the mid-19th century, the Dutch East Indies colonial government sought to control Aceh and its resources.
Sketch depicting a battle between Acehnese and Dutch forces (1964) by Herry Wibowo (1943-2019)Museum Nasional Indonesia
The War in Aceh Begins
In 1873, the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) invaded Aceh, starting a forty-year conflict marked by strong Acehnese resistance. This battle scene sketch was created by the artist Herry Wibowo for the National Museum of Indonesia in 1964.
Acehnese Soldiers
Acehnese soldiers, known for their courage and resilience, included both men and women. This photograph from 1902 shows heavily armed men with daggers (reuncöng), swords (peudeueng), rifles (seunampang) and shields (peurisè).
Development of the War
This map shows encounters between Dutch and Acehnese forces between 1873-1910. Early in the war, KNIL troops focused on capturing coastal areas, including Banda Aceh. From the 1890s, they changed tactics to move through the highlands, adopting methods used by Acehnese fighters.
Marechaussee in Aceh (1898) by unknown photographer, Leiden University Libraries collectionMuseum Nasional Indonesia
The Marechaussee
The Marechaussee, part of the KNIL, operated in small units trained in counter-guerrilla warfare to operate in Aceh’s mountainous terrain. The units were led by Dutch officers and composed of Ambonese, Menadonese, Madurese, and Javanese soldiers.
The 1904 Aceh 'Expedition'
In 1904, under the command of Lieutenant-General van Daalen, the Marechaussee carried out a brutal 'expedition' in Aceh. This military campaign resulted in the deaths of over thousands of Gayo and Alas people, including women and children.
The village of Kuta Reh, Ales, Aceh. (1904-06-14) by J.C.J. Kempees, Leiden University Libraries collectionMuseum Nasional Indonesia
Massacre at Kutö Réh
The massacre at Kutö Réh in Alas highlights the brutal tactics used during the Dutch War in Aceh War. In this attack, KNIL forces killed 313 men, 189 women, and 59 children after facing resistance.
Remembering Aceh's Heroes
Heritage sites across Aceh, such as the grave of the resistance leader Panglima Polem, preserve the history of resistance and sacrifice made during the Dutch War in Aceh.
In this video, Teuku Armia Panglima Polém, the grandson of Acehnese resistance leader Panglima Polém, shares family stories of the Dutch War passed down from generation to generation.
Chapter 2: Uncovering the Hidden History of Objects from Aceh
In this section of the exhibition, we explore how objects from Aceh were collected during the war and later entered the collection of the Batavian Society of Arts and Sciences, as well as how curators from the National Museum of Indonesia are uncovering their hidden stories today.
The Collection of Objects from Aceh
Dutch forces routinely collected weapons and valuables in Aceh, sometimes from fallen Acehnese soldiers. Others were purchased from local communities, often under coercive conditions. The Batavian Society for Arts and Culture acquired hundreds of of these objects.
Uncovering hidden stories
The National Museum of Indonesia team, in collaboration with the Koleksi Kita project, are working to uncover these hidden histories through research in the museum archives, carefully assessed each object, and digitising them in high resolution.
Why Museum Documentation Matters
Museum documentation is key to understanding an object's life history. Inventory documents, catalogues, photographs, field notes, and correspondence provide crucial provenance information. This is evident in the fascinating story of the rentjong (dagger) of Teungkoe Bèb Tirò.
Acehnese Dagger (Reuncöng Meucugek) (2025) by National Museum of IndonesiaMuseum Nasional Indonesia
Teungkoe Bèb Tirò's Dagger
This rentjong (dagger) belonged to Teungkoe Bèb Tirò, son of Teungku Cik Di Tiro, a key resistance leader against the Dutch. How did it become part of the National Museum's collection?
“I have the honor to offer your Society herewith for the museum…a rentjong with ivory handle, belonging to Teungkoe Bèb Tirò, who was killed in an attack by our troops of gampōng Tjot Pliëng (Pidië) on the 28th of November [1900]….”
J.B. van Heutsz, Military Governor of Aceh, 1900.
Documenting Acquisitions
This letter from van Heutsz, the Military Governor of Aceh, shows the process of collecting from Aceh. He gifted several weapons to the Batavian Society. Catalogue numbers have been added to the letter by the Batavian Society in black ink (the rentjong was given number 9664).
Acehnese Dagger (Reuncöng Meucugek) in sheath (2025) by National Musuem of IndonesiaMuseum Nasional Indonesia
Catalog Number 9664
The number 9664, marked on the sheath of the dagger, corresponds to its entry in the Batavian Society's catalogue, linking it to their acquisition records.
Chapter 3: Voices from Aceh
In this section of the exhibition, we move beyond museum archives and travel to Aceh to learn from communities about the objects, their uses, and their meanings today.
Exploring Museum Aceh's Collection
In this video, Khairunisa from Museum Aceh, shares insights into the museum's collection. She highlights the rich history and cultural significance of these objects, drawing comparisons with the National Museum of Indonesia's Aceh collection.
Koleksi Kita: Aceh Voices
Through the Koleksi Kita project, a series of community consultations in Aceh were held. These discussions aimed to uncover new narratives about objects in the National Museum of Indonesia and improve the museum's documentation of its collection.
Consultation with connected communities
The consultation process revealed new insights and previously unknown details about the collected objects.
Chapter 4: New Stories
In the final section, we share new information about important objects from Aceh in the National Museum of Indonesia’s collection, based on museum research and collaboration with communities.
The National Museum of Indonesia holds several musical instruments from Aceh. This gegedem, a type of drum, and canang, a small gong, originate from the Gayo region of Aceh. The gegedem and canang were collected by Lieutenant-General van Daalen during a military expedition to the Gayo and Alas regions in 1904. They were donated to the Batavian Society in 1905 and assigned the inventory numbers 10250 and 11123.
Gayo Music Today
Through consultations with Erni Juwita, a Gayo cultural practitioner, we learned about the significance of these instruments. They are played in an ensemble of three canang, one gegedem, one memong, and one gong. Rhythms vary by region, and the music is still performed today.
Acehnese Weapons in the National Museum
The National Museum of Indonesia holds a large collection of weapons from Aceh. Many of these were taken from fallen Acehnese soldiers after battles. The swords reflect regional variations across Aceh.
Rencong (dagger)Museum Nasional Indonesia
Reuncöng – A type of dagger
Acehnese dagger (Reuncông Meucugek) (2025) by National Museum of IndonesiaMuseum Nasional Indonesia
SwordMuseum Nasional Indonesia
Sikin panjang – A long knife
The Pucuk Rebung motif on this Sikin's hilt is a visual language. This design, inspired by the bamboo shoot, is loaded with meaning and cultural relevance in Aceh.
Sword longMuseum Nasional Indonesia
Peudeueng ôn jô – A sword whose shape resembles a sugar palm leaf
Traditional Weaponry Today
Even today, blacksmiths in Aceh continue to craft traditional weapons like the reuncöng. Consultations with Bahlia, a blacksmith in Baet, Aceh, were held as part of research on Aceh weapons for the National Museum of Indonesia.
This video shows Bahlia demonstrating the process of crafting a traditional Acehnese reuncöng in his workshop located in Baet, Aceh.
Alam Peudeung Flag (2025) by National Museum of IndonesiaMuseum Nasional Indonesia
Alam Peudeueng
The sword is also an important symbol in the flag of the Aceh Sultanate known as the Alam Peudeueng. The flag features a single sword motif and a crescent moon with a star. This flag was obtained by the Dutch during a battle at Batèë-Ilië (Samalanga, Aceh) on 3 February 1901.
Alam Peudeueng flag, reverse side (2025) by National Museum of IndonesiaMuseum Nasional Indonesia
Teungku Cik di Tiro
One the back of the flag, we can see an Arabic inscription containing prayers and words of praise, as well as the seal of Teungku Cik di Tiro. Teungku Cik di Tiro was an important resistance leader. He was killed in 1891, however, his family and followers contineud the struggle.
The seal of Teungku Chik Di Tiro
Alam Peudeung Flag (2025) by National Museum of IndonesiaMuseum Nasional Indonesia
A bloody history
Bloodstains on this Alam Peudeueng flag tell a violent story. Dutch forces seized the flag from the battlefield, likely keeping it as a war trophy.
Consultation with Teungku Cik di Tiro's descendents
During consultations, museum curators visited the important religious center of Dayah Teuku Chik di Tiro, managed by Teungku Cik di Tiro's descendants. The family shared information about the site and details about the flag and other objects.
The Alam Peudeueng on Display
The Alam Peudeueng flag, an important symbol from the Aceh Sultanate, on display at the National Museum of Indonesia.
Several religious objects were collected from Aceh during the war. This amulet (ajimat) carries symbolic meaning intended to protect the wearer from the influence of evil forces and to ensure personal safety. Along the border of this amulet is inscribed the calligraphic phrase “Lā ilāha illallāh.” The beads , this is a Sufi prayer bead strand (tasbih tasawuf). In Acehnese, it is called “boh meusabah,” and is used for devotional remembrance (zikir). This wooden writing board, known as loh or la
Prayer boardMuseum Nasional Indonesia
A Qur'anic Teaching Board
This teaching board features hijaiyah letters and Qur’anic verses. An inscription indicates it belonged to Ismail bin Ibrahim, a descendant of the religious figure Teungku Chik Awe Geutah.
The board is made of wood and written with ink.
Consultation Awe GeutahMuseum Nasional Indonesia
Provenance of the Teaching Board
Following consultations with Teuku Mukhsin, a family member as well as the caretaker of the Tomb of Teungku Chik Awe Geutah, it is believed that board originates from the area. It was likely collected by the Snouck Hurgronje, the Dutch scholar who visited the area in the 1890s
Visit to the Tomb of Teungku Chik Awe Geutah
The National Museum of Indonesia also holds everyday objects from Aceh, Gayo, and Alas. Many of these were collected during the Dutch War in Aceh and classified as “ethnographic objects.” Examples include a finely made sirih (betel nut) pouch, a woven cloth from Gayo known as Upuh Pawa, and a woven floor mat (tikar).
Sireh BagMuseum Nasional Indonesia
Everyday Objects from Aceh
Finely made sirih (betel nut) pouches.
This woven bag comes from the Alas highlands of Aceh and was used to keep sirih (betel nut).
Peteriana Kobat, a Gayo cultural expert, explains the traditional uses of the sireh bag and how its role has changed over time.
Gayo clothMuseum Nasional Indonesia
Cawat 'Upuh Pawaq' - Gayo Cloth
Gayo Woven Cloth
This woven cloth was made using traditional techniques. Few Gayo people today know that weaving was once part of Gayo's textile art. Today, they are more familiar with embroidery with the iconic krawang motif. But in the past, weaving was part of Gayo people's clothing traditions
The National Museum of Indonesia holds an important collection of women’s jewellery from Aceh, including brooches, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, cuping, and rings. These rare objects display a high level of craftsmanship and artistic skill.
The Jewelry of Cut Nyak Dien?
This jewelry may have belonged to Cut Nyak Dien. Cut Nyak Dhien was a leader of the Acehnese guerrilla forces during the Aceh War. Following the death of her husband Teuku Umar, she led guerrilla actions against the Dutch for 25 years.
The Capture Cut Nyak Dien
Archival records mention jewelry captured in 1904 from the hiding place of the "widow of Teuku Umar". As a member of a royal family, Cut Nyak Dien likely owned finely crafted gold jewelry similar to items in the collection.
Wife of Sultan Alauddin Muhammad (1874) by Unknown photogrpaher, Leiden University Libraries collectionMuseum Nasional Indonesia
Acehnese Royal Jewelry
A photograph from 1874 depicts the wife of Sultan Alauddin Muhammad Da’ud Syah II adorned with jewelry. Her jewelry is similar to pieces now in the National Museum of Indonesia.
Aceh Contributors (2026) by SEAMS and Collage of the contributors from AcehMuseum Nasional Indonesia
Acknowledgments
This exhibition was possible thanks to the valuable input of several stakeholders from Aceh.
This exhibition was developed as part of the Koleksi Kita (Indonesian Museums Documentation Project) supported by the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP). Learn more https://www.koleksikita.id/id
The exhibition was made possible with input from several stakeholders from Aceh, including
Azman K. Azzam
Abang Gem
Bahlia
Bambang
Eva
Erni Juwita
Gunawan
Geuchik Lah
Hanif
H. Akbar
Hj. Zuraida
Jasmani Daud
Jusin Saleh
Khairunisa
Khalid
Masykur Syafruddin
Mukhtar Idris
Muhamad Basyir
Nurdin A.R.
Peterina Kobat
Ratna Bundiani
Teungku Armia
Teungku Mukhsin
Zullfikar
Indonesian Heritage Agency/National Museum of Indonesia
Indira Estiyanti Nurjadin
Muhammad Rosyid Ridlo
Fifia Wardha
Rully Handiani
Saniyyah Ardina K.
Tiomsi Sitorus
Yustina Dwi S.
Dimas Surya P.
Eko Septian S.
Fajar Ichsan H.
Southeast Asia Museum Services
Andrew Henderson
Ayu D. Kirana
Bert Sacré
Dyah P. Mitayani
Hafnidar
Istiqomatunnisak
Nathasya M. Sari
Nico Sibarani
Novia P. Salirani
Nurkanah
Retno A. Lestari
