The Pandemic in Aceh History: Tracing the Acehnese Muslim Handlings of the Infected Patients

Abstract

Multiple occurrences of the pandemic have happened throughout human history. In Aceh, the westernmost province of Indonesia, the plague is known as Taeun, from the term Taeun Ijabroek, or the plague that attacks the lowly in dirty, bad clothes. It becomes Taeun Wabasampoh, the plague that attacks anyone, including the king and ulee balang (the local administrators). In November of 1873, a cholera outbreak reached Aceh, brought by the Dutch army. In December of the same year, the death toll reached 150, and 500 others were treated. In 1876, the death toll reached 1,400 as a result of Taeun. In 1947 and 1960s, another smallpox outbreak struck Aceh. This present study uses a qualitative method by using library inquiry with a descriptive analysis approach. Formulating the problem, how could the government's policy help deal with Taeun's outbreak in Aceh? Research indicates that the government's policy on the treatment of pandemics is divided into preventive and curative measures, whether through the medical or non-medical fields. Medical curative is performed by giving standard medicines to patients, while traditional curative is conventionally conducted by giving traditional medicines like herbs. Preventive measures are taken to keep ourselves and the environment clean. Judging from the traditional Acehnese home that offers water pots on the front side of the house next to the main door, providing isolation for the sick, the tulak bala (disaster prevention supplication) ceremony is performed by praying together. Additionally, advertising and vaccinations are used in contemporary preventive measures.