ACEH is geographically located in the westernmost region of Sumatra Island. North and east are bordered by the Malacca Strait, west of the Indian Ocean, and the south is the only land border with North Sumatra Province. As part of the territorial territory of the Republic of Indonesia, Aceh is a province that currently has 23 regencies / cities.
Acehnese are indigenous people who live in or come from Aceh Province. They consist of various ethnic groups scattered in several cultural regions. The Acehnese dominated the north and east; The Gayo tribe inhabits the central mountainous region of Aceh province and its surroundings; Alas tribe occupies the Southeast Aceh region and its surroundings; Aneuk Jamee inhabits West Aceh Regency, Southwest Aceh, South Aceh, and surrounding areas; Kluet inhabits South Aceh Regency and its surroundings; Tamiang inhabits East Aceh Regency and its surroundings; and Singkil is located in Singkil and Subulussalam.
The Acehnese also have a unique appearance. Some literature says, "Aceh" is an abbreviation of each initial letter from four Arabs, Chinese, Europeans, and Indies. This was based on the appearance of the Acehnese who partially resembled the descendants of the four nations.
If examined, the inclusion of four elements of a foreign nation in the identity of Acehnese has something to do with the history of migrants in the past. Arabic is a place where Islam originated and Aceh became the first area of Islam to develop in the archipelago. China has made connections with Aceh both in trade and cultural exchange. Meanwhile, Aceh already had cooperative relations with the kingdoms in Europe long before the colonial era. Whereas the Indies or India began with the arrival of Indians to trade and carry Islamic da'wah. To this day, some Acehnese still possess these characteristics.
Acehnese live in groups and uphold plural societies. They have their own specialties in the fields of language, art, tradition, dance and music. But some of the different elements also experience acculturation so that there are elemental similarities between several tribes. There are at least 13 tribes in Aceh for now.