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Tamiang |
|
People Group: |
Tamiang |
 |
| Location: |
Indonesia |
| Population: |
21,000 |
| Religion: |
Islam |
| % Christian: |
0.0% |
| % Evangelical: |
0.0% |
| Ministry
Resources: |
Bible, No Known Beleivers |
|
|
Total People Group
Population: |
21,000 |
Other countries People
Group Linked to: |
None |
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Additional Information:
Who are the Tamiang?
The Tamiang live in the southeast part of East Aceh Regency, in the Aceh
Province. Previously this area was the Tamiang administrative district
with a very large area of 7,760 square kilometers. Now the district has
been divided into six districts, Kuala Simpang, Bendahara, Karangbaru,
Seuruway, Kejuruanmuda, and Tamiang Hulu. One legend states that the
name Tamiang comes from the words itam and mieng. Itam means "black" and
mieng means "cheek." This appellation supposedly arose because a king of
Tamiang named Raja Muda Sedia (1332-1362) had a black mark on his cheek.
Another story says that the name Tamiang comes from the name of an
island in the Riau Archipelago, which was the original dwelling place of
the Tamiang people's ancestors. The Tamiang people have their own
language with an 87% vocabulary similarity to the Melayu (Malay) Riau
language.
What are their lives like?
 The
main source of income for Tamiang people is planting rice in both
irrigated and unirrigated fields. Other crops which they plant are corn,
cassava, tomatoes, chili peppers, and eggplant. They also grow fruits
such as oranges, mangoes, durian, and langsat. Those who live on the
coast fish and make coal from mangrove trees. Some become plantation
workers and traders. The Tamiang rarely leave their area because their
agricultural land is extensive and fertile enough to support them. At
the beginning of the twentieth century, this area received many migrants
from other areas because of the opening of rubber and palm oil
plantations and oil wells.The Tamiang people are controlled by the "Law
of the Four Peoples." This means that the highest traditional leader is
the "Datuk of the Four Peoples." The word datuk comes from the word
ndatu, which signifies the first person to open a settlement (rebas
tebang). Those who came later were placed below the existing Datuk. In
the ensuing process, the four Datuks united their areas and chose a king
(raje) as leader. This decision was established and sealed with an
agreement called Kate Tetuhe. The four datuks were titled Datuk Imam
Balai, Datuk Penghulu, Datuk Hakim, and Datuk Setia Maha Raja. For the
king there was a proverb: "raje adil raje disembah, raje lalin raje
disangah" (A fair king will be worshipped, a cruel king will be
dethroned). In upholding that role, Tamiang leaders hold onto a vow that
states "kasih papa setia mati" (a father's love is faithful to death).
Traditional law was effectively carried out with the philosophy "adat
dipangku, syarat dijunjung, resam dijalin, kanun diatur" (traditional
law is administered but religious law is respected customary ways are
formed but canon law is organized).
What do they believe?
Tamiang people are followers of Islam, which has penetrated various
aspects of their lives. However, many still carry out the ceremonies of
their old beliefs. They hold certain ceremonies connected with their
everyday lives, such as ceremonies held for blessing the planting of the
rice (kenduri blang), the harvesting of the rice, and ceremonies to
protect them for disasters (tula bala).
What are their needs?
The main need of the Tamiang is better farming and plantation methods to
improve their income. Education and health facilities are also greatly
needed to improve their welfare.
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