'Rapai Pase' a symbol of peace in Aceh

'Rapai Pase' a symbol of peace in Aceh

Syahruddin Hamzah, Antara/Banda Aceh

"Pat ujeun yang hana pirang, pat prang yang hana reda" -- an Acehnese proverb literally meaning, "There's no rain that cannot be stopped and there's no war that cannot be ended in this area," is appropriate in reference to the peace pact between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement, slated to be signed in Helsinki, Finland on Aug. 15.

The Acehnese have held the adage for decades since the separatist fighting first began.

The peace agreement was celebrated by the 350 drummers participating in Sunday's Rapai Pase (traditional drum) festival, who performed in seven conflict-prone areas in Aceh.

"When the Rapai Pase drums are beaten, gunfire will cease," said leader of the festival, Ayah Panton, alias Syamsuddin Djalil.

The festival was organized by the Association of Aceh Native Sons as Inheritors of the Traditions on a Mission of Resolving the Aceh Conflict Customarily (KANAPAKAD).

The Rapai Pase drums are usually beaten after midnight and can be heard up to two kilometers away. People were awoken from their sleep and hailed the event with elation expecting it would lead to the establishment of a more developed and prosperous Aceh.

"Those who hear the drums -- particularly those who see the event directly -- will greet the occasion with prayers because they believe the gripping fear they have been facing thus far will end," he said.

Happiness was reflected in the faces of Aceh residents waiting along the Trans-Sumatra highway -- the route taken by the Rapai Pase group -- after kicking off from Banda Aceh at midnight on Sunday.

A resident of Panton Labu, Mohd. Zeiriana, 35, said the parade was also significant because the traditional drums had not been played in public for years.

The parade featured 288 drummers beating 114 rapai drums as they were transported by 10 trucks and escorted by more than 200 vehicles traveling through seven municipalities and regencies in Aceh, from Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar, Pidie, Bireuen, Lhokseumawe, North Aceh and Peureulak in East Aceh. The peace parade wrapped up in Panton Labu, 328 km east of Banda Aceh, prior to going through Peureulak, known as the area most prone to armed conflict.

The entourage was seen off by caretaker governor of Aceh, Azwar Abubakar, witnessed by People's Consultative Speaker Hidayat Nurwahid, Minister of Information and Communications Sofyan Djalil, and a number of foreign representatives, religious and community leaders in Banda Aceh.

Another Panton Labu resident, Usman Ibrahim, 65, explained that when the Rapai Pase drums were beaten, they would produce a colossal rhythm which would touch the souls of Aceh people.

The event is not merely entertainment, but full of meanings hard to put it in words, he said.

Acehnese who are familiar with Rapai Pase would have found the sound of the drums eerie, especially those hearing them from far away.

"I was moved, my eyes welled with tears when I heard the drums," said Usman.