Tapa (from a Sanskritic root denoting ascetic practice, in modern Achehnese usage meaning “seclusion from the world”) is the Achehnese institution of religious retreat, in which a devout person withdraws into isolation — typically in a cave or other solitary spot — for a period ranging from a few days to many years. As described by C. Snouck Hurgronje in The Achehnese, tapa is admired and respected in Acheh, though its rigorous form is seldom practised; it was most closely associated in the late nineteenth century with the figure of Habib Samalanga, the sayyid war-leader of the XXVI Mukims.
Theological and Cultural Background
Tapa in the sense of absolute hermitical seclusion is admired and respected in Acheh, but very seldom practised by the Malays of the peninsula. As the translator of The Achehnese notes, when ascending Gunong Jorai in Kedah he heard of a holy hermit there who had spoken to no human being for five years; but the man was said to be a stranger. Tapa for short periods is, however, popular throughout the region. In Acheh itself the institution has been given a distinct local character through its association with the holy war and with the discipline imposed upon followers of the religious leaders.
Habib Samalanga’s Practice
Habib Samalanga, a sayyid born in Acheh (and thus of less consideration than those who came direct from Arabia), came to Great Acheh in order to take part in the direction of the jihad, especially in the XXVI Mukims. Just like Teungku Tiro in his sphere of action, he gathered in the ka sadi and other contributions to meet the expenses of the war. In order to appear in the eyes of his followers as at least the equal — and if possible the superior — of “the Teungku,” he had to distinguish himself from the latter in some particular way. This he did: his specialty was tapa, or seclusion from the world. He would remain isolated (kalèuët) for from seven to forty successive days in a cave at the source of the Krueng Daroy, a place which was from ancient times chosen for such devotions.
Disciplinary Use
His followers also occasionally had to submit to a similar course of tapa; it was in fact one of the ordinary punishments imposed by him for various offences. Habib Samalanga differed from Teungku Tiro in his opinions respecting those Achehnese who either lived within the Dutch linie (the military line round Kuta Raja) or went thither to trade. While Teungku Tiro wavered in his attitude towards such persons, Habib Samalanga consistently taught that all submission to or intercourse with the infidels was a sin, though not one which made the offender a complete outlaw. Whoever was brought before him convicted of this sin was condemned to isolation in the cave, there to do penance for some days and prepare himself for conversion from his heresy.
A Javanese whose tomb is now an object of veneration at Ulee Lheue is known by the name of Teungku Lam Guha, having done tapa for successive years in this cave of the Daroy — a striking instance of how the practice of religious seclusion could confer lasting sanctity upon its practitioner.
See Also
- Habib Samalanga
- Teungku Tiro
- Teungku Lam Guha
- Krueng Daroy
- Ulee Lheue
- Sabil Contributions
- Dutch Policy of ‘Concentration’
Source
The Achehnese, Vol. I, by Dr. C. Snouck Hurgronje, translated by A.W.S. O’Sullivan, indexed by R.J. Wilkinson. Leyden: E.J. Brill, 1906.