Rencong, Traditional Weapon from Aceh

Rencong

Rencong is a traditional weapon from Aceh that is made of white metal, brass alloy, and horn of buffalo (white or black). During the colonialism of the Dutch, rencong was used either by men or women in the battle field to battle the Dutch. Rencong is slipped into the scabbard and worn on the left hand side of the stomach directed to the right hand. The way of wearing rencong depicts the egalitarianism, social status, and is also the symbols of self defense, bravery, and heroism in fighting the Dutch.  Noted that some great heroes coming from Aceh such as Cut Nyak Dien, Cut Meutia, Pocut Meurah Intan, Pocut Baren and Tengku Fakinah used rencong to fight against the Dutch. They were the silent witnesses of Aceh people‘s bravery in efforts to defend Indonesia, especially Aceh Province from the occupation of the Dutch colonial government.

Nowadays, rencong is a souvenir from Aceh Province. That is why, we suggest you to buy rencong as your souvenir when visiting Aceh Province.

One of the distinctive features of rencong is on its making process. The making process of rencong using white metal as the basic material is rather difficult than using brass alloy. There are four types of rencong in Aceh Province; pudoi, which has not had perfect shape yet on its handle; meukure, decorated with various motifs such as animal, flower, and root; meupocuk, having gold filigree at the upper end of the handle; and meucugek which is on its handle glued something called cugek (a glue and 90 degree of angle).

The Islamic philosophies of rencong are on its handle engraved ba letter (Arabic scripts), as well as on the base of the handle, sin letter. On the bottom of the blade is mim letter while lam letter is along the blade. Those Arabic letters on rencong sound basmalah (in the name of Allah).

Where Find Rencong Home Industry Location

You can find the center of rencong home industries in Baet Masjid Village, Baet Meuseugoe Village, and Baet Lampu ot Village. Those are in the sub-district of Sibreh, Aceh Besar District, Nangroe Aceh Darussalam Province. It is about 25 km away to reach those three villages from Banda Aceh City by any public transportation for approximately 45 minutes. 

Rencong Industry

The price of a rencong depends on its quality, including the material of the blade and the handle and its size as well. For a medium rencong (10-12 cm long) made of brassalloy, the prices range from IDR 20.000 to IDR 75.000. A bigger rencong, more than 12 cm long, vary in price from IDR 75.000 to IDR 80.000. The highest price of rencong is rencong made of white metal as the basic material. Fur currently, there is no guesthouse around those three villages. However, you can observe in more detail its making process. Moreover, you can order a rencong based on what you want. You can choose every material for your Rencong starting from choosing the horn and the material for the blade. Almost all the rencong makers are men. Their knowledge in the making of rencong is inherited from their parents. rencong made by those three villages are distributed to several districts in Aceh Province, especially in the traditional market in Banda Aceh City.

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Visiting Mayura Water Park in Lombok Island

Mayura Water


Visiting West Nusa Tenggara province will not be complete  before visiting Mayura Water Park.  It is a unique and special water park; the combination of park and the concepts  of pond and shrine which are fully decorated by the motives of Balinese,  Javanese and Lombok, will amaze you visiting  the location. It was built in the era of Bali  Kingdom when they held the power in Lombok Island  by A.A. Made Ngurah Karangasem king in 1744 A.D. It was called KelepugPalace, derived from Kelepug (The  sound of swift water stream from the spring in the centre of the pond).
In the era of Mataram   Kingdom, it had been  renovated under the decree of A.A. Ngurah Karangasem King in 1866 A.D. Not only  physical building that was changed, but also its name that was turned into Mayura.  Mayura, derived from Sanskritmeans peacock. Once upon a time, in  the era of A.A. Ngurah Karangasem King, there were snakes in the palace  disturbing the activities in the palace. Therefore, a counselor suggested that  the palace had to breed peacocks in order to chase away the snakes. Its  strategic location and the historical values cause the location is visited by  tourists either local or foreign tourists.







The Mayura   Water Park  offers you the combination of natural, religious, and historical nuances.  Tranquil felling is the first impression when you enter the location. There is  a pond which is neatly organized to improve the natural nuance of the location.  In the center of the pond, there is a small building called “Bale kambang” or Gili (in local language means small islands). You will see many mangosteen  trees planted in a line. You may pick the fruits if the guides permit you.
Some buildings in Balinese motive combined with the  influence of Javanese and Lombok   Island shape up a religious  nuance in the location. Based on the guides` explanation, the main spot of the  location is a shrine located in the upstream of the pond. However, visitors  often miss the shrine since the location, the size of the pond that are too  wide, and the leafy mangosteen trees. Its name isKelepug, which is  meant to remind the earliest name of the location. At some rituals, the temple  is functioned as worship place.
There will be some guides explaining the history of Mayura Water   Park. One of the interesting  stories about its history is a statue having a western Asian face. It was a  gratitude to a western Asian person for his idea to breed some peacock to chase  the snakes in the palace. In addition, Bale Kambang was built because of  the inhabitants` pressure for justice. The trial process was held in the Bale  Kambang in the era of Rad Kerta. There will be more information about its  history and amazing concepts of the building.

Where to Access Mayura Water Park Location?

Mayura Water Park is located in a business center, Cakranegara sub-district, Mataram city, West  Nusa Tenggara province. It will be 15 minutes from Narmada  bus station. It can be accessed by public transportation about Rp. 5.000 in  cost or you may get taxi which cost is about Rp. 15.000. You can also start the  trip from Mataram for about 10 minutes with Rp. 2.500 in cost by public transportation  or Rp. 10.000 by taxi. The entrance ticket includes the guides` services. They will  tell you about the concept and the history of the location. They will invite  you look around the location in approximately 15 minutes, after that, they will  allow you to take an observation alone.


There are hotels and restaurants nearby this historical  tourism destination. Considering that the location is a business centre, you  will find food tents and stalls offering the ethnic cuisines of Lombok Island  like Pelecing.

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The Exotic Panorama on Matras Beach, Bangka Belitung Island

 Matras Beach

Matras Beach is a beautiful and sloping sandy beach where the white grain sands spreads out like pearls offering the splendid view of its nature. It is 2 km in length with around 20 to 30 meters wide where some leafy coconut trees welcome you. The white sands combined with the wonderful coastal rocks and the water flowing from the river to the sea are stunning sceneries for your tranquil holiday. Therefore, it is commonly called “Pantai Surga” (The beach of the heaven). It is the most popular one among the other beaches inBangka-Belitung Province that is frequently visited by tourists either domestics or foreign.


The white grain sands, the leafy coconut trees, and the natural water flowing from the river are some distinctive features of the location that will be hard to be found in other destinations. Its comfort and the ease offer you an unforgettable holiday while enjoying your meals leaning on the wonderful coastal rocks.

How to Access Matras Beach Location?

Matras Beach lies in Sinar Jaya Village, Sungailiat Sub-district, Bangka District, Bangka-Belitung Province. It is the northeast of BangkaIsland, about 40 km from Pangkal Pinang or 7 km from Sungailiat. Taxi or private cars are recommended transportations for you who want to reach the destination. You may start the trip from Sungailiat or Pangkal Pinang. It is approximately an hour from Pangkal Pinang passing by winding road.

There are many airlines that serve the airport for flights to Depati Amir Pangkalpinang such as Garuda, Lion Air, Batavia Air, Sriwijaya Air and others. To arrive at this beach, visitors can use various types of vehicles that can be rented in Depati Amir. If you want to use public transportation, from Pangkalpinang the visitors can take Colt, majoring Pangkalpinang-Sungailiat with cost Rp. 6.000, -.

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