Pocut Baren Aceh Heroes of Women Eradicate Dutch Colonialism
Pocut Baren Heroes of Aceh Women Dutch Colonialist Exterminator
Nanggroe Aceh - If we trace the past of Aceh, then we will find one of the heroes of Aceh Pocut Baren Acehnese heroine of Dutch colonialism exterminator. In other areas the role of women has not been so prominent, then Aceh appears many women leaders who became leaders, both military leaders and heads of government. This proves that in the emancipation movement of women, Aceh is one step ahead of other regions in Indonesia. This is evidenced by the presence of wamita who became the Sultanah (head of government of the Kingdom of Aceh), Uleebalang (kenegerian head), Admiral (leader of the army ), guerrilla leader against the Dutch, poets and female writers.
Pocut Baren has struggled for a long time. Since he was young, he plunged into battle. Pocut Baren also fought along with Cut Nyak Dhien. The brave struggle and resistance of Pocut Baren is vividly described by Dutch writer Doup. Pocut Baren has been fighting against the Dutch from 1903 to 1910. Cut Nyak Dhien was captured by Dutch troops on November 4, 1905. That is, Pocut Baren once led his own troops against the Dutch, although Cut Nyak Dhien is still actively struggling alone. Thus, at that time in the Aceh region there were two women fighters who led his forces against the Dutch, namely Cut Nyak Dhien and Pocut Baren.
As a result of the Dutch onslaught, Pocut Baren once pushed into the interior of the forest and decided to be based in a cave in Gunong Mancang. The Dutch have difficulty tracking the existence of this cave. Until one day, the existence of the cave was known. The Dutch troop attempt to reach the cave was foundered in the middle of the road because while climbing the mountain, hundreds of rocks were rolled down by Pocut Baren's men so many Dutch soldiers were killed. Finally the Dutch got the sense to drain 1200 kerosene cans toward the cave and then burned. Many fell victim because of this attack. Pocut Baren himself was hit by a bullet in his leg so that his resistance was forced to stop. He was then detained in Kutaraja, but his men continued to fight.
After his capture by the Dutch, he was transferred to kutaraja. His legs were shot because they did not receive enough care and decayed and had to be amputated. After Pocut Baren was declared cured of his illness and was believed by the Dutch not to fight again, he was returned to his hometown of Tungkop as an uleebalang.
However, Pocut's resistance does not stop there. Although he can not fight directly but the soul of his panglimanya continues to flare. He continued to encourage his men. Through poetry and rhymes he encouraged his followers to keep up the fight against the Dutch caphe. Their popular and impressive characters are still unforgettable.
Pocut Baren died and was buried in his hometown, Kemungkiman Tungkop, Sungai Mas District, West Aceh District. As a form of appreciation the government named one of the roads in Aceh under the name Pocut Baren.
