Bringing joy back to Aceh

Lately it’s been quite cold because of the marathon rain pouring down nonstop for the last two days over Banda Aceh. The clouds have been sending away the intense sunshine that usually covers the town. But I am feeling warm and happy thinking of the village of Meunasah Cot, whose residents feel so happy and proud to have cows in their byre.

Anwar, who lives in Meunasah Cot village, cares for one of the cows provided by Mercy Corps. Anwar named this cow "John." Photo: Piva Bell/Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps recently provided a grant that the community used to buy 15 cows for this village, as well as construct the byre. And today, the villagers are feed their cows with the best grasses they can find and keeping the byre warm so the cows won’t get sick because of the cold night.

Just like other beachside villages around here, this community survived the tsunami. All of their belongings were swept away. What they have now are small houses built by humanitarian organizations and a few small household items. They have never imagined before that they will would have a chance to own cows, which are so valuable in the Acehnese culture. These cows are shared between the entire community of Meunasah Cot.

The reason why cows are so prized here is because beef is considered as a special-occasion food in Aceh — it plays an important role in the celebration of every important moment in their people's lives such as weddings, births and religious ceremonies. Without it, celebrations would be incomplete.

Another important occasion on the Acehnese calendar is Meugang — a celebration that takes place twice a year, once one or two days before the fasting month and again one or two days before Lebaran, the end of fasting month. During these celebration days, the head of family has a responsibility to bring beef to his family and the wife will cook it for the entire family. It is the symbol of his capability as a man and pride as the head of family, where he shows to his wife and all the entire family his ability to fulfill his responsibility to provide food, prosperity, happiness and security to them. And his wife and children will be so proud and happy if there is beef on the dining table to break the fast.

That is why having cows is so integral to the lives of Acehnese people. And most of them prefer to have beef from the kind of cows originally from Aceh because — as I heard from the locals — that beef tastes best.

I am so curious to taste it and, because the end of the fasting month is coming up, I will get to soon.