Gampong Pande, The Most Historical Site in Banda Aceh

On Tuesday (April 22 2014), My community Turun Tangan, attended to Napak Tilas History of Banda Aceh. The theme was “Wisata Titik Nol Gampong Pande”. This tour was not only followed by a communities in Banda Aceh, but also followed by senior high school students and the prominent people in goverment. It had begun in the morning and finished in noon.

The Program which was sponsored by Disbudpar and KNPI Aceh was held to celebrate 809 anniversary of Banda Aceh city. There were many other communities which also supported this program such as Agam Inong Banda Aceh, BEM Teknik Serambi Mekkah, Diwana Institute, HMI, and Mapesa (Masyarakat Peduli Sejarah).  Actually, this program was the second time after goverment had held it last year. Despite of second time, society was still enthusiastic to attend it.

Honestly, I have never visited Gampong Pande before. My friends too. I have known about this historical site since horrendous discovery of 3000 dirham (gold coins) last year. News in media said that Gampong Pande was the center of Banda Aceh where empire of Aceh built. For that reason, I thought going to Gampong Pande was great chance to know more about history of Banda Aceh.

My friends and I arrived at 9.00 WIB at Gampong Pande. We were rather confused because there were no many visitors there. But, several minutes later, they came. Many of them were students and civil servants. For the first agenda, among the others, we went to Tuanku Dikandang tomb. Tuanku Dikandang was one of the evidences in the past. Gampong Pande has been ever  became a center of Islamic empire. He was a in charge in that era.

Based on the informations I got, Gampong Pande was a the original name of Banda Aceh. Many Sultan tombs were found there. These were the evidences that Islamic Empire had ever stayed at Gampong Pande. Why did it call as Pande (Acehnese language: Clever)? Was that place inhabited by clever (expert) people on that time? Obviously, not only there were many Sultan and Lakseumana tombs were found there but also it was the place where the expert goldsmiths lived. The handicrafts they made were sold to Turkey, Malaysia, French, and UK. HencHHence, it called as Gampong Pande. Base on these discoveries, Banda Aceh had become the oldest city in South-East Asia. Aceh Empire was very famous when it was in leadership era of  Iskandar Muda and also in others Sultan era.

Illiza Sa’aduddin Djamal, who has responsible for government in Banda Aceh city said that for celebrate this 809 Kota Banda Aceh anniversary, there were 2 things that we have to do. First, we must have a good “Acehnese” manners. The manners were how to  “peumulia jamee”, how to dress-well as a moslem, and so on. Second, we must keep our cultural heritage due to it was our precious thing. Gampong Pande is one of the most historical site which we have to keep. So who will keep our cultural heritage if we do not?

After we had listened and discussed with Aceh Historian, we had luch and talked to each others. I was glad  to attend this historical tourism. I think this progam was very useful, especially for youth. Gampong Pande is not the only one historical site in Banda Aceh, but also there are Putroe Phang Park, Keumala Hayati Harbor and many others site. We have to know more about our historical site. The most quote which makes me impressed is “Mate Aneuk Meupat Jeurat, Gadoh Adat pat Tamita”. I hope we can learn everything about Aceh’s heritage and know how to keep our heritage well.