Seudati Dance

Seudati Dance is a dance that originated from the province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. Seudati derived from the word 'Creed, which means witness / testify / recognition of no god but Allah, and Muhammad the messenger of God.
This dance is also included in the category or Tribal War Dance 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 in conjunction with the spread of Islam to Aceh. Media is used by dance penganjurpenganjur religion of Islam in the development of Islam in Aceh. Before Seudati, this dance is called RATOH which means to tell. In this Ratoh can tell everything about aspects of community life.
For example: the story of sad, happy, advice and uplifting.
Islam advocates who mostly come from the Arabic language directly or terms used in the spread of religious emphasis on the Arabic term. So while the media is influenced ratoh with Arabic terms. Syahadatain be Syahadati and Seudati, then summons a meusaman (which means eight) people.
These two terms are used until now. There is also another opinion saying that the word comes from the word Seudati matching (meaning harmony / harmonious). Seudati first developed districts of Pidie and North Aceh, is now developing in other districts and municipalities in the region Istimewa Aceh.
In this Seudati dance performance led by a Sheikh (leader). Sheikh was assisted by representatives of the so-called Apet Sheikh. Dance is danced by eight dancers and assisted by two singers as a dance accompanist (Aneuk Syahi).
Written by Taloe (an art institution independent non-governmental) that exists to explore and study the traditional art history aceh and care for artistic development aceh.