Horse racing culture : Gayo people's party

Central Aceh District, with the capital city Takengon, is known by various names including "The Land Above the Clouds" "gayo high Land" and "negeri antara".

In this country there is an annual Gayo folk party which features the traditional Gayo horse race. Without the need for promotion and without the need for command, simultaneously the people living in the Gayo Tanoh Highlands at that time flooded the city of Takengon. The horse race held in Gelenggang Musara Alun, located right in the heart of Takengon, the capital of Central Aceh Regency.

The track conditions looked very radiant. Along the path that is made in a circle, it is only limited by rattan. Gayo traditional horse racing is an event that takes place every year.

This event is part of the anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. The public's attention rests entirely on this racetrack. Horse Racing is a competition where a jockey rides or rides a horse to reach the finish line as quickly as possible with a predetermined track.

The traditional Gayo Horse Race is not for bounty hunting, but rather for dignity or honor. Because, the cost of taking care of a horse is much greater than the prizes that are up for grabs. In a month, the cost of food and vitamins for a horse is not less than Rp. 3 million indonezian. The prize for the first prize is around Rp. 6 million indonezian, only enough for two months to eat a horse.

According to A.R. Hakim Aman Pinan in the book Pesona Tanoh Gayo, "Horse Racing" as a people's entertainment was already held before the Dutch come to Gayo land. The horse race is traditionally held after the rice harvest in the Gayo rice fields.

The period after the rice harvest often coincides with August. Then the Horse Race is officially held in August, apart from the above reasons, another consideration is that in August the weather is quite supportive because it is in the dry season, so the Horse Race is considered suitable to be held.

Horse racing was originally just a fun activity for village youths in Gayo, especially in Bintang and around the settlements around Lake Laut Tawar, after the rice harvest season around Lake Laut Tawar. It was the habit of young people, to catch a wandering Horse in a sarong without the owner's knowledge and drive it.

While racing, sometimes in unison with youth groups from other villages, who did the same thing. Then there was social interaction, where the jockeys of each village agreed to hold a Kuada Race match between villages without prizes for the winners. Not knowing it, finally since the early 1930s, this activity has turned into an annual tradition involving several villages.

Horse racing activities have been held since 2006 until 2014 in the framework of the district's anniversary. Regarding the technicality of horse racing, it is the same as in Central Aceh district.

In the end, the Horse Racing in the Gayo Highlands continues as a culture. If in August, the great horse racing event is held in Takengon, Central Aceh Regency, then in the same month it is also held in Gayo Lues Regency and Bener Meriah Regency which will be held to coincide with the Regency's anniversary in February.

It has become filled, if one day does not watch the Horse Race, the heart feels dissatisfied, it's like missing something.

Horse racing in the Gayo Highlands is full of traditions passed down by previous predecessors. These values ​​are still partially preserved and preserved by the Gayo community. It is not surprising that Horse Racing in Gayo is very different from other areas.

Previously, horse racing games were not allowed for women to participate
witnessed, this has happened in Bintang village, only men watched it. However, after experiencing several changes in the system and conditions of the times, women are allowed to witness it. This is the first time this has happened after the horse racing field moved to Blang Kolak.

Anyone is justified watching both men and women for all ages. Horse Racing in Gayo Land as a grand event is very loved
community, because this event presents many people, especially from outer villages who come and stay at their relatives' house.

This is because the activity during the horse racing activity lasts for seven days
from morning until the next day. As for activities in the morning starting at 08.00 to 09.00 which are specifically intended for school children, even though school does not have a holiday, competition activities are made, which are placed in the office
Regent.

The traditional horse racing game has contributed significantly to the population and the development of tourism in the Gayo area, with a horse racing competition which is held once a year. significant changes in improving the welfare of the Gayo population.

As one of the habits of the Gayo community, horse racing has become something
attached to them and became a habit to hold.

To remember and maintain the culture that has been formed since the days of the ancestors of the Gayo tribe, horse races are held every year.

And also to continue to preserve this Horse Race, horse races are held once a year, where the race is held in addition to commemorating the National Anniversary of Indonesia, it is also to commemorate the third anniversary of the District of Aceh Tengah brothers, Bener Meriah, Gayo Lues which is held in each of its districts.

But unfortunately, in this pandemic, horse racing is not being held, this makes me personally sad because I don't watch horse races.

So that is about of the tradition of horse racing in Gayo land