Amidst advancement of technology which crosses beyond geographical borders, ways to preserve local cultures—which contain nation’s core values—remain open. Through UIOS, people especially millennials are reminded of more important values besides activities on cyberspace.

Head of UIOS Committee, Hafizh Muyassar (Mathematics ’17) said that there were five dance performances on the event, such as Rapai Geleng, Saman, Ranup Lampuan, Ratoeh Duek, and Tarek Pukat. Those five dances have different meanings. Ranup Lampuan, for example, is a presentation for guests. The dance symbolizes the familiarity of Aceh people. Tarek Pukat visualizes fishermen’s activities when fishing. The dance is usually performed by seven or more women who use ropes as dance prop. The dance also shows cooperation and togetherness among Aceh people. While Rapai Geleng dance is mainly performed to teach about religion, moral values, and social life.

Acehnese Culture Unit is a cultural student unit in ITB that focuses on the study of Acehnese art and culture. The unit have members coming from both Aceh and beyond. “UIOS is a contribution and preservation to culture by Acehnese students and UKA itselt by performing Acehnese traditional dance,” said the Head of Acehnese Culture Unit, Ummi Nadra Irham (Management ’19).

Manager of Acehnese Cultural Unit, Dr. Ing. Zulfiadi ST., MT encourages students of ITB to master any dance in any unit in ITB. In his experience, he was asked to perform a traditional Acehnese dance on a cultural exhibition in Japan in 2004. He hopes that Acehnese Culture Unit will grow and move forward, and hopefully it can introduce Acehnese culture. “Not only in Indonesia, but also everywhere we go,” he said.

Reporter: Ahyar (ITB Journalist Apprentice 2019)