Peudawa Rajeu — pronounced Pedawa Raje, rajeu meaning great — is a small landschap in the onderafdeeling Langsa, lying near Peureula (Perlak) on the eastern coast of Atjeh. The place was formerly a bone of contention between Idi and Peureula, and the small landschap survived despite the dispute.
Foundation and Population
When the Dutch authority established itself in the years 1873–1875 in these regions, Peudawa could be at rest. The road from Peureula to Pedawa passes through a swamp of, Broersma was told, some six hundred hectares, which could be drained. Another question is whether suitable building-ground would then be found. Remarkable is the fine white gravel that is found in this region.
From the border of Peureula the road to Pedawa is a splendid Tjemara-avenue, the pride of the landschap, which however has little else on which it can pride itself. Traders from Lho Seumawe, coming in here to avoid bad weather at sea, found in older times an opportunity for settlement; and pepper-planters from elsewhere also populated Peudawa. It is certain that it has had a past with more population and more trade. Of the 22.000 picol of pepper it once produced, perhaps twenty picol of pepper remain. The population counts only four hundred souls; evidently many have moved away to regions where living and working were more pleasant. Emigration without known reasons could count as an accusation against the government.
The Oeléebalang
The oeléebalang of Peudawa Rajeu was Teungkoe habib Moehamat bin Sajet Oesoeih, an Arabic-descended chief who received a large silver presentation-tray from the government in 1875 and the great star of trouw en verdienste in 1913. The landschap was formerly of sufficient importance that Chinese were willing to farm its import-duties.
Account from Atjeh als land voor handel en bedrijf (1925)
Peudawa Rajeu (rajeu = big, groot) was small landscape between Idi and Peureula, formerly dispute apple between Idi and Peureula despite remaining existence. Road Peureula to Peudawa via swamp 600 ha drainable questionable building ground white gravel border road beautiful tjemara-lane pride.
History
When Netherlands authority came 1873-1875 prevented war Idi and Peureula over Peudawa could stay calm. Traders Lho Seumawe entering bad weather shelter found settlement and pepper planters from elsewhere populated Peudawa, past 22k picol pepper now maybe 20 picol, population 400 many emigrated. Harbour rights formerly pacht Chinese. Oeléëbalang Teukoe Habib Moehamat bin Sajet Oesoeir Arab descent habib beloved etc 12 years already head mother remarried head Baya upbringing maybe suffered loyalty not damaged. In 1875 large silver presentation sheet wrought silver later service. Similar gifts government gave more per J. A. Kruyt book Edi prince silver coffee service etc. In 1895 small star 1913 large star loyalty merit documents kept. In 1899 signed Korte Verklaring 3 articles replacing long contract 18 articles then yearly felicitation 31 August Queen Governor-General Governor Atjeh with Arabic terms contested.
Fixed income landscape 400 souls only 155 gulden monthly house neither big nor beautiful poor debt advance but rich in love 14 wives 17 children oriental patriarchate not unique.
See Also
- Langsa
- Peureula (Perlak)
- Teungkoe habib Moehamat bin Sajet Oesoeih
- Idi
- Lho Seumawe
- Oeléebalang
- Verkenningen in Atjeh (1923)
- 1873
- 1875
- 1913
- Teukoe Habib Moehamat bin Sajet Oesoeir
- Peureula
- Korte Verklaring
Source
Verkenningen in Atjeh, by Dr. R. Broersma (De Locomotief, October 1923), chapter VI, ‘Oeléebalang’s volkshoofden’, pp. 42–43. Atjeh als land voor handel en bedrijf, by Dr. R. Broersma, Gebrs. Cohen, Utrecht, 1925, pp. 38-40.