Cut Meutia House

Traces of Resistance in the Veranda of Mecca: History and Architecture of Cut Meutia House

Cut Meutia House is more than just an old wooden building standing strong in Pirak Village, Matangkuli District, North Aceh Regency. This historical site is a silent monument to one of the most heroic chapters in the Indonesian nation's struggle against Dutch colonialism. As a traditional Acehnese stilt house (Rumoh Aceh), this building holds collective memories of the courage of a national female hero, Cut Nyak Meutia, who dedicated her life to the sovereignty of the Rencong land.

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Origins and Construction Period

This house was built in the late 19th century, following the traditional architectural typology of the Acehnese people at that time. Historically, this house was the residence of Cut Meutia's family. She was born in this area in 1870 to Teuku Ben Daud Pirak and Cut Nyak Tok. Its location in the interior of North Aceh made it a key witness to Cut Meutia's growth from a local noble daughter to a guerrilla commander feared by the Dutch Marsose troops.

The structure of the building reflects the social status of its owner. In the past, a Rumoh Aceh with a large construction indicated that its inhabitants came from noble or influential community figures. This house was the starting point for Cut Meutia's struggle coordination with her husband, Teuku Chik Tunong, and later continued with her second husband, Pang Nanggroe.

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Architectural Characteristics and Construction Details

Architecturally, Cut Meutia House is a pure representation of the Lhee Sagoe (three-room) type Rumoh Aceh. The building is a stilt house, about 2.5 to 3 meters above the ground, supported by 16 sturdy main wooden support pillars (tui). The use of this stilt model has a dual function: as protection from wild animal attacks and floods, and as a military defense strategy to monitor enemy movements from a distance.

The main material of this building is selected wood, while its roof is made of sago palm leaves, providing natural coolness in Aceh's tropical climate. The uniqueness of its construction lies in the fact that the entire building does not use a single iron nail. Instead, craftsmen of the past used wooden pegs and very strong woven palm fiber ropes. This makes the house structure flexible against earthquake tremors, a local wisdom that has been tested for centuries.

On the exterior, there are distinctive Acehnese carvings adorning the house's ventilation and eaves. Floral and geometric motifs dominate, reflecting the influence of Islamic art, which prohibits the realistic depiction of living beings. At the front, there is a wooden staircase (reuen) with an odd number of steps, in accordance with Acehnese community beliefs.

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Historical Significance and Important Events

Cut Meutia House was not just a residence, but a tactical headquarters. Within these wooden rooms, guerrilla warfare strategies were devised. One of the most significant events related to this site is the coordination of attacks on Dutch posts in the North and East Aceh regions. Cut Meutia was known for her highly effective "hit-and-run" tactics, which were often discussed under the roof of this house.

History records that it was from this house that Cut Meutia began her escape into the wilderness after her husband, Teuku Chik Tunong, was executed by the Dutch on the coast of Lhokseumawe in 1905. This house became a symbol of unwavering resolve; even though she lost loved ones, her spirit to free Aceh from the Dutch grip never faded until she fell in battle in Alue Kurieng on October 24, 1910.

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Figures and Period of Struggle

This house's close connection to the Aceh War period (1873–1912) makes it a crucial site. Besides Cut Meutia, figures like Teuku Chik Tunong and Pang Nanggroe often spent time here to rally the people's strength. That era was a time when the Dutch implemented the Korte Verklaring (Short Declaration) policy, but the Pirak region and its surroundings remained a pocket of resistance that was difficult for Dutch intelligence to penetrate.

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Preservation Status and Restoration Efforts

Currently, Cut Meutia House has been designated as a national Cultural Heritage Site under the auspices of the North Aceh Regency Government and the Center for Cultural Preservation. The government has undertaken several restoration efforts to maintain the building's authenticity. Given that wood and sago palm materials are highly susceptible to decay and termites, regular maintenance is a top priority.

The restorations carried out continue to preserve the original form and traditional materials so that its historical value is not lost. Around the house, a small museum complex has now been built, housing replicas of weapons, traditional clothing, and documentary photos of Cut Meutia's struggle. The spacious yard of the house is also often used for historical education activities for students in Aceh.

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Cultural and Religious Values

This house also reflects the strong Islamic values in Acehnese society. The division of space within separates the public area (for male guests) and the private area (for women and children), known as Seuramoe Keue and Seuramoe Likot. This shows how deeply ingrained the values of modesty and Islamic Sharia have been in the residential architecture of the Acehnese people since ancient times.

For the local community, Cut Meutia House is a source of pride and identity. It reminds younger generations that honor and freedom are things that must be fought for with sacrifices of property and life. Spiritually, the existence of this house strengthens the narrative of "Perang Sabil" (Holy War), where resistance against invaders is considered part of the worship of defending truth.

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Unique Facts and Conclusion

One of the unique facts about Cut Meutia House is the presence of a traditional Kandang or rice barn near the main building. This barn was not just a place for storing logistics, but also a symbol of the Acehnese people's food security when facing economic blockades by the Dutch. Furthermore, the house's position facing the Qibla reaffirms the life philosophy of the Acehnese people, who place religion as the main compass in every aspect of life, including in the construction of their homes.

To this day, Cut Meutia House stands tall as a living monument. Although times have changed and technology has advanced, the simplicity of wood and sago palm in Matangkuli still radiates the authority of a female hero whose name is renowned throughout the archipelago. Visiting this site is not just historical tourism, but a spiritual journey to appreciate the meaning of freedom.