Granting a degree of Seuramo Meukah Serambi Mekah at least provides an illustration of how is the meaning of Aceh in relation to the spread of Islam in
Indonesia. The first Islamic Kingdom in Indonesia was the Pasai Ocean and Perlak. Pasai and Perlak around the 13
th
century They gave shape to the principles of customary and wedding ceremony in Aceh is completely colored by the teachings of
Islam that developed in the kingdom. Being developed in the whole of Aceh after the 16
th
century, after the existence of territorial expansion by streamlining the business areas of the small
kingdom into the kingdom of Aceh Darussalam. The establishment of Aceh’s kingdom is under of Sultan Iskandar Muda in 17
th
century, has given a development of marriage customs and ceremonies throughout the region of Aceh, that having the
Islamic. This expression is written in words Adat ngon Hukom Lagee Zat ngon Sifeut. That is customary with the laws of Islam as a substance with properties. In its
customary marriage ceremony, outside influence is more widely accepted after independence.
2.3.2 Social Stratification
Almost of the inhabitants in Banda Aceh are Acehnese. Generally, the social stratification of its inhabitants divided into two, depends on the region, whether it is in
the village or city. Based on the things, the social stratification of citizens in Banda Aceh is divided into:
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• Civil Servant, because of their function as the officers of the government. • Trader, they are the circulation controller of the living requirement things.
• Manager, function as the leader of industry for production organizing to distribute the living requirements things.
• Labour, function as the workers in the production process, transportation, and also administration.
• Intellectual doctors, lawyers, engineers, lecturers, etc., function as the facilitator in services field, education, etc.
• Artist, who works in art field • Religious People Moslem teacher, Pastor, Priest, etc., to bring a religion
direction to the other citizens. • Students, function as person who are trying to get the knowledge.
Individually, even though they live in a city which has move from the traditional transition to progressive changes, they cannot move out from the influence
of cultural norm where they were born, because they have ever socialized there.
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2.3.3 Kinship System
A kinship is a relationship between a person and another one based on blood relationship. The smallest kinship group is batih family consisting of father, mother,
and children who have not get married yet. Batih’s family is an economic unity also the units of indigeneous peoples, in this case the man must be responsible in the
business economy, government, and community relations. The establishment and development of communalism that show
characteristics that are socially, economically, and religious. Communalism as a core unity and solidarity that have a helping attitude.
Aceh region was inhabited by no less than eight tribes of the tribal nations of origin Aceh, Gayo, Tamiang, Aneuk jamee, Kluet, Singkil, and Simeulue. Acehnese
people usually call themselves Ureueng Aceh which means the people of Aceh. Every inhabitant in Banda Aceh has a relationship based on kinship and
territory. In a relationship which based on kinship, everyone has duty to be responsible of every cultural violation which have been made and obey by all
inhabitants. Meanwhile, in a relationship which based on territory, they have an authority in making regulations and run them to the other inhabitants. So, they have
the same right to keep the traditions and regulations. A family is a group of social person which consists of husband, wife, and
children who have not get married yet and lived in the same house.
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CHAPTER 3 THE DESCRIPTION OF STAGES AND EQUIPMENT OF
WEDDING CEREMONY IN BANDA ACEH
A marriage is a binding contract between a man and a woman as a couple to make a happy and everlasting family based on the one Goddess.
Every region has their own wedding ceremony based on local situation. Just like Indonesia which consists of many ethnic groups with their differences and
uniqueness of the wedding ceremony. Nowadays, a traditional wedding ceremony often held in a very simple way,
every parents who wants to marry their son or daughter should include it. In spite of watching an event like that, but they still did not understand well about the meaning
of that ceremony. Acehnese wedding ceremony is one of the majorities that we always see
nowadays. It is also divided into five kinds; they are Banda Aceh, North Aceh, Sigli, West Aceh, and East Aceh.
This paper will explain about wedding ceremony in Banda Aceh.
Generally, there are two forms of marriage in Banda Aceh; they are kawin berimpal cross-cousin married, which means a kind of marriage that held to
continue a family kinship and preserve all of the riches in order to manage it in the family. This marriage should held between a cousin from mother or from father.
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In general, this marriage should be held based on a sides of parents and that idea already held when their children still young. That custom in Aceh which means tak
tanda. That is a binding agreement to hold a wedding in a future, that’s should be hold
between both sides for kinship necessity. Generally, a marriage should be held between a good partner and it is also called kawin sekufu.
A marriage with a propose is a marriage that formerly with an asking meulakee melamar by the man’s family to the woman’s family. A proposal
sometimes could be accepted or rejected. If it is rejected, it is usually convey refinely with some positive reasons, such as the woman still want to be free, or want to
continue her education, etc.. On the contrary, if the propose is accepted, an engagement should be held.
Before asking for an engagement, one important things that should do first by both man and woman is choosing for a good marriage partner. Usually, an Acehnese
man can choose his marriage partner independently, although his parents could find him a woman who is from their internal family. Whatever was used in the past, now it
is different. But, there is still a standard measure for Acehnese in choosing a son in law, they are:
a Origins, means a son in law should come from a good descendant, smart, has courage, and interesing both mentally and physically. A parents will
be more interesting with a man who came from a high position, or has an important influence in society, such as businessman, big trader, rich
farmer,well-known religious man, etc..It is because our society has a thought that a good descendant will produce a good son too.
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b Lineage, means it gives answers for some question, such how about the position of the son in law to-be in his family ? How about his family
relationship ? How about the position of his family in their society ? is he loyal to his family ? Because the destiny of his new family next will be
the former family business. c Wealth, it has been a logic consequence that people did not want to live
in lack. Nowadays a wealth has extended to be a degree of intelligence, such bachelor, etc.
Whereas, in choosing a woman to be a marriage partner, a man usually consider on some aspects, such as good looking, character, wealth, loyalty, and good
education. A sincere and mutual love between a woman and a man should end in marriage. In a place like Aceh, the marriage occurred due to the decision by a loving
couple. This is a matter of principle since the ancient time. It could happened due to the wish of their parents. Until now, an Acehnese always stays close to the family.
Family solidarity is a prime important. The loving couple should inform their parents accordingly and several steps should be taken to prepare the wedding.
A marriage which does not based on love sometimes need a long time for an acquaintanceship after wedding.
No matter how a wedding ceremony in Banda Aceh consists of some stage, but commonly a marriage with a propose is commonly held. It will be described
below:
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3.1 Discussing Stage