Politics of Memory in the Cumbok Tragedy: Case Study in Pidie Regency, Aceh

This study explores the Cumbok Tragedy in Aceh through the perspective of the Politics of Memory, emphasizing the importance of remembering the past amidst shifting political and cultural contexts. Politics of memory functions as both an academic critique and a strategic tool against dominant historical narratives. The research, conducted in Pidie District – the epicentre of the conflict and the most distorted in Cumbok’s history – adopts a qualitative case study approach to investigate real-life dynamics. Findings reveal that human rights violations were not confined to December 1945 – April 1946 but continued during the DI/TII rebellion initiated by PUSA Chairman Teungku Daud Beureueh in 1953. Fieldwork shows that persecution, impunity, forced marriages, and confiscation of uleebalang family assets persisted into the 1950s. Additionally, the study identifies complex socio-cultural issues in Pidie, indicating that patterns of violence and property seizure were more intricate and prolonged, extending the understanding of the Cumbok conflict’s lasting impacts.