Politics of Memory in the Cumbok Tragedy: Case Study in Pidie Regency, Aceh
https://doi.org/10.25205/1818-7919-2025-24-10-133-142
Abstract
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.
Supporting agencies: This research was funded by the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) of Universitas Malikussaleh which provided the facilities needed in performing this research
About the Authors
T. K. Fasya
Universitas Sumatera Utara; Universitas Malikussaleh
Indonesia
Indonesia
Teuku Kemal Fasya, Candidate of Sciences (History)
Scopus Author ID 58641338300
Medan
Aceh
R. Sibarani
Universitas Sumatera Utara
Indonesia
Indonesia
Robert Sibarani, Professor
Scopus Author ID 57201024223
Medan
B. Agustono
Universitas Sumatera Utara
Indonesia
Indonesia
Budi Agustono, Professor
Scopus Author ID 57195233862
Medan
M. Amin
Universitas Sumatera Utara
Indonesia
Indonesia
Muryanto Amin, Professor
Scopus Author ID 57200377955
Medan
S. N. Lubis
Universitas Sumatera Utara
Indonesia
Indonesia
Satia Negara Lubis, Professor
Scopus Author ID 57201378993
Medan
H. Fithra
Universitas Malikussaleh
Indonesia
Indonesia
Herman Fithra, Professor
Scopus Author ID 57197848433
Aceh
R. Yunanda
Universitas Malikussaleh
Indonesia
Indonesia
Rizki Yunanda, Master of Sciences
Scopus Author ID 58258481500
Aceh
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Review
For citations:
Fasya T.K., Sibarani R., Agustono B., Amin M., Lubis S.N., Fithra H., Yunanda R. Politics of Memory in the Cumbok Tragedy: Case Study in Pidie Regency, Aceh. Vestnik NSU. Series: History and Philology. 2025;24(10):133-142. https://doi.org/10.25205/1818-7919-2025-24-10-133-142
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