Seudati Dance

Seudati Dance is one of the typical dance of Aceh, before any dance this dance Seudati originally known as coastal dance called ratoh or ratoih, which means telling, exhibited to begin the game fighting cocks, or exhibited to exult when harvest season arrives on the night of the month full moon .. Players Seudati consists of 8 players with 2 people syahi role as vocalist, one appointed as sheikh, the leader group Seudati. Seudati not accompanied by any musical instrument. The rhythm and tempo dance, determined by the rhythm and tempo song that was delivered in several scenes by the passage fingers and clapping of hands to his chest and pounding feet into the ground. Chest pat vote as if there is something metal in the chest or abdomen dilengketkan so that when struck sound vibration and resonance. 


Seudati derived from the Arabic syahadati or syahadatain, which means testimony or confessions. In addition, there is also saying that the word comes from the word seurasi Seudati meaning harmony or compact. Seudati developed since the Islamic religion to enter Aceh. Islam advocates of utilizing this dance as a medium of propaganda to develop religious teachings of Islam. This dance is quite developed in North Aceh, Pidie and East Aceh. This dance is performed by telling a variety of problems that happen so that people know how to solve a problem together. 


In ratoh, can be told many ways, the story of sad, happy, advice, to the stories of encouragement. Scholars who develop Islam in Aceh is generally derived from the Arab country. Therefore, the terms used in Seudati generally derived from Arabic. Among the terms that means a leader Sheikh, Saman which means eight, and the poem which means nyayian. 


Dance Seudati now been expanded to all regions of Aceh and favored by the people. In addition to used as media propaganda, Seudati also be performances of entertainment for the masses. 


Dance Seudati initially grown in the village Gigieng, District of Simpang Tiga, Pidie district, led by Sheikh Tam. Later developed into the village Didoh, Pearl District, Pidie regency led by Sheikh Ali Didoh. Dance Seudati came from Pidie district. Seudati including one that preserved the traditional Acehnese dance and arts development is now down to the elementary school level. 


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 so-called helper apeet tub, and three auxiliary ordinary. In addition, there are also two singers as a dance accompanist called aneuk syahi. 


Type of dance does not use musical instruments, but only brought a few movements, like clapping hands to the chest and hips, stamping feet on the ground and finger passages. The movement to the rhythm and tempo of the song is sung. Many diagnostic movement is dynamic and agile with great enthusiasm. However, there are some movements that seem rigid, but actually showed courage and bravery of the dancers. In addition, the clapping of hands to the chest and abdomen as well as knights impressive vanity. 


Clothing Seudati dance consists of trousers and a tight long-sleeved shirt, both white, songket strapped to the extent of the thigh and waist, rencong inserted at the waist; tangkulok (headband) that red handkerchief tied around his head and hand-colored . Dress uniforms are only for the main players, while aneuk syahi not have to dress uniform. The most important parts in the dance consists of likok Seudati (style, dance), saman (melody), rhythm agility, and story telling about the story of heroism, history and religious themes. 


In general, this dance is exhibited on stage and divided into several rounds, among other things: First round, beginning with saleum (greeting) introductions by aneuk syahi say only, namely: 


Assalamualaikum Lon tamong Seung lam, 


Lon jak saleum bri ... keu bang Teuku sheikh. 


Function aneuk syahi to accompany the dance sequence. The first greeting was rewarded by the Sheikh with style (tone) is different: 


Crew seumangat lon lam tamong Seung, 


lon jak to Jamee Teuku saleum bri .... 


Poem above was repeated by both apeetwie and apeet tub. In this introductory chapter, eight dancers melenggokkan only body in graceful movement, pat his chest and flick of the eight finger movements that follow the rhythm of the song. New dynamic movement seen when entering the next round. When staging is perntandingan, so after this first group completed the first round, will be followed by a second group with a different technique. 


Usually, the first group will come down from the stage. The second half, starting with bathtub saman, ie all the main dancers stood in a circle in the middle of the stage in order to match the voice and determine likok what will be played. Sheikh was in the middle of the circle. This circular shape symbolizes that the people of Aceh are always muepakat (deliberation) in taking any decision. Muepakat that, if linked to the context of this dance, is consulted to determine the saman or likok to be played. 


In the likok demonstrated uniformity of motion, agility and dexterity to play in accordance with the rebound song sung aneuk syahi. Likok rebound begins with: 


Iiiiii ilalah He was ne ya .... (By slow and fast) 


All of the main dancers will follow the rhythm of the song sung in a fast or slow depending on the rebound which was sung by aneuk syahi. Another phase is the phase saman. In this phase the various poems and rhymes delivered with each other and shouted between aneuk syahi and sheikhs are followed by all dancers. When the sheikh who say: 


walahuet seuneut apet kataheee ee, O Sham, 


syahi anek will then replied with an answer: 


lom ka Iboih dicong tub, anuek puyeh Ngon cicem Earring. 


To relieve saturated the audience, each chapter concludes with Lanie formation, ie formation of a previous fix is not uniform.