Seudati Dance

Seudati dance is a traditional dance typical of Aceh, which is popular in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam era of the kingdom of Aceh and until now very heroic.

Dance is played by 8 people who called a friend and 2 people who sing the lyric verse of-called seudati child ( Aneuk seudati )or children syahi( Aneuk syahi ).

From 8 friends / dancers who called the sheik ( Syeh )and Apet sheik ( Apet Syeh ). Sheik standing in the position of second from left front row of the spectators based on the vision of the future.

Some experts say Seudati derived from the word Syahadatain, and there is also a word that comes from sahadati (Arabic). In this dance Seudati rely on the body of dancers as his instrument, such as stomach beaten ( Peh prut ) , put the ches ( peh dada ), fingers are ( Ketip jaroe ), plaudit ( peh jaroe ), and with that shrill voice.

In the game seudati consists of some act / sessions, namely:

1.      Peace Child Syahi (Saleum aneuk syahi)
2. Peace sheik (saleum sheik)
3. Likok
4. Sama
5. Story ( Kisah )
6. Pansi
7. Lanie / gambus opener ( Gambus Pembuka )
8. Gambus cover. ( Gambus Penutop )

2.       Verses-versification Seudati contain messages Islam, a traditional / hadihmaja, incendiary spirit stories and history of Aceh. Along with the growth and development dynamics in Aceh, could versemonger also be adjusted. A child syahi (syeha) a reliable, he can create a lyric-verse of the spontaneity with the condition when the show. Verses shaped his rhyming verse ab ab.

3.       Formerly in the era of wars seudati often used to evoke the spirit sabil war against the colonizers. There has been no mention of the source who first created the seudati this. Perhaps by history experts, is estimated seudati is created by the ulama to release the spare exhaustion after the battle for the next war. Besides, it is also often played at events statesman and traditional kingdom of Aceh.

This dance is also included in the category  Tribal Dance or War Dance, which the words are always inspiring young people of Aceh to rise up and fight colonialism. Therefore, this dance had banned the Dutch colonial era, but now is allowed to dance again and became the National Art Indonesia.

Seudati danced by eight men as the main dancer, consisted of one leader called a sheikh, one sheikh assistant, two assistants on the left called apeetwie, one person behind the maid called apeet tub, and three normal assistants. In addition, there are two singers as a dance accompanist called aneuk syahi.

This type of dance does not use the instrument, but only brought a few movements, like clapping hands to the chest and hips, stomping feet on the ground and the passage of a finger. Movement to the rhythm and tempo of the song that was sung. Several of the movement is dynamic and lively with great enthusiasm. However, there are some movements that seemed stiff, but actually shows strength and valor of the dancers. In addition, clapping his hands to his chest and stomach at the same time imposing warrior pride.

Seudati dance clothing consisting of long pants and long sleeve T-shirts are tight, both white; songket wrapped around the thighs and waist length; Rencong inserted at the waist; tangkulok (headband), which tied a red head and a handkerchief colored. Dress uniform is only for the main players, while not necessarily syahi aneuk dress uniform. The most important parts of the dance consists of Seudati likok (force; dance), Saman (melodies), rhythmic agility, and story telling of the story of heroism, historical and religious themes.

The Seudati Dance is a very popular dance from North Sumatra, or Aceh. It was formerly a court-dance which took the form of a patriots dance, describing the prowess of the Aceh patriots who are about to proceed to the battle-field Now the dance is the property of all the people, and used as an impetus for their patriotism.
There are two Seudati dances, one danced by men only, called Seudati Agam, and the other, danced by women only, called Sudati

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Each Seudati Dance is danced by ten men or ten women. When it is danced by men (Seudati Agam) the ten dancers are divided according to their function in the dance; one Aneuk Seudati, or the child of Seudati, one Adoee or younger brother, and eight Dalam or Aduen or elder brothers. One of the eight Dalam is called Sheik or leader, and there is an Apet Sheik or deputy leader. The six others are called Rakan or Kawan, meaning friends.
The performance of the Seudati dance is sometimes very long; there is even one which begins at 8 p.m. and ends at 6 a.m. The stage is an open field. The dance can be very exciting when there is a competition between two neighbouring villages, each with its own Seudati team.



The patriotic nature of the Seudati Dance is seen chiefly from, the costume of the Seudati Agam, consisting of a long white right shirt, long white or black trousers, a sarong (a cloth wrapped round the under part of the body worn above the knees), selendang (scarf) fastened round the waist, rencong (short sword) and a head cloth. The dance is very gay and vigorous, varied by frequent rhythmical clapping on the breast. As they dance the dancers sing in turn stories showing the greatness of Aceh in the past.

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