This article is a collaboration with The Conversation Indonesia as part of a special edition commemorating 20 years of efforts to rebuild Aceh. Titled Memories of Aceh Chinese: We Too Remember, We Too Belong, it reveals the collective memory of the Aceh Chinese community, reflecting on their ongoing efforts to navigate their presence and identity in Aceh’s special autonomous region.
The article revisits the Aceh Chinese experience during the 2004 tsunami and their lives in Aceh, shaped by the region’s distinct legal and political context. Drawing on ethnographic research, it follows the life of an Aceh Chinese woman born in a small town south of Banda Aceh, highlighting the tragedy she and her community endured during the Tsunami. Through her memories, the article takes readers on a journey through the Aceh Chinese community’s recollections of the disaster and their understanding of their place within the Indonesian province.
Colonial legacies that reinforced the concept of autochthony shaped the complex sense of belonging experienced by the Aceh Chinese. Moreover, the implementation of Sharia law—though officially not applicable to non-Muslims—has presented challenges for the Aceh Chinese community. Despite these challenges, they continue to negotiate their presence both individually and collectively.
The article argues that addressing these challenges is necessary to maintain peace and foster a more inclusive community in Aceh. Moving beyond superficial tolerance and multiculturalism, it calls for a commitment to meaningful justice and equality.