Teungkoe di Mata Ië (Teungkoe Moehamad Chatib) was a Oelama, fanatic resistance leader of the Keureutòë region mentioned in Jongejan’s Land en Volk van Atjeh Vroeger en Nu in connection with Aceh. Born leader, fanatic; had high standing among the people; influence extended beyond Keureutòë deep into the Gajo-land.
Role
Oelama, fanatic resistance leader of the Keureutòë region
Account from Jongejans
Born leader, fanatic; had high standing among the people; influence extended beyond Keureutòë deep into the Gajo-land. Led attacks on the Atjeh-tram, destruction of telephone network; constantly pursued by patrolling soldiers (Colijn, Stoop, Sloos, Christoffel, Behrens, Dompselaar). Always managed to slip through the net. In 1908 left Keureutòë for good and withdrew to schuilplaats between Samarkilang and Serbödjadi. Lost his weaponsmith, his diviner, his brother-in-law (panglima) and his 17-year-old son and his krani. Personally led a bivak sneak attack killing one marechaussée and lightly wounding Captain v.d. Vlerk. March 1913: encountered Lt. Behrens patrol, wounded in leg but escaped, leaving turban and rosary. Long silence; rumour of his death. About 4 years later a patrol under Javanese sergeant Toegimin hit a ladang hut, killing two Acehnese. Body identified by Samarkilang population as Teungkoe di Mata Ië (by foot rings and wounded leg). Last 7 followers became the ‘Samarkilangbende’; one killed, one surrendered to Captain Paris in 1923, leader arrested in 1937 and died shortly after in Langsa.
Significance
Teungkoe di Mata Ië (Teungkoe Moehamad Chatib) appears in Jongejan’s account as one of the figures shaping the history of Aceh during the period covered by the book.
See Also
Source
Land en Volk van Atjeh Vroeger en Nu, by J. Jongejans, Oud-Resident van het Gewest Atjeh en Onderhoorigheden, with a foreword by Dr. H. Colijn (Baarn: Hollandia Drukkerij N.V., c. 1938), pp. 362, 363, 364.