Aceh Besar Officially Registers Rencong as Communal Intellectual Property

RRI.CO.ID, Jantho - The Administration of Aceh Besar Regency, Aceh Province, through its Education and Culture Agency (Disdikbud), has officially secured legal protection for the Rencong by registering it as Communal Intellectual Property (KIK). The traditional dagger is now formally recognized under the category of Traditional Cultural Expression (EBT) by the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights.

This certification, issued in accordance with Law No. 28/2014 concerning Copyright, ensures that the Rencong is documented in the National Data Center for Indonesian Communal Intellectual Property. Aceh Besar Regent Muharram Idris expressed his high appreciation for the cultural preservation efforts, emphasizing that official documentation is vital for safeguarding local heritage.

"This is very important so that every piece of our cultural heritage is recorded, has a copyright certificate, and cannot be claimed by other people or regions," Muharram asserted in Jantho on Friday, April 24, 2026, as quoted by Infopublik.id.

Historically, the Rencong was a lethal weapon utilized by Acehnese fighters against colonial invaders. Today, while its function has shifted toward ceremonial and symbolic use, its production remains concentrated in the Gampong Rencong areas of Baet (Baet Mesjid, Baet Lampuot, and Baet Meusugo) within the Sibreh settlement of Sukamakmur Subdistrict.

Secretary of the Aceh Besar Education and Culture Agency, Fahrurrazi, described the registration as a strategic move to provide the artifact with legal standing.

"Rencong is not just a traditional weapon, but also a symbol of identity and cultural values for the Acehnese people that must be guarded together. With this registration, we have a strong legal basis to protect and preserve it,” he noted.

In the official KIK documents, the Rencong is classified as a multi-dimensional art form integrated into traditional ceremonies, rituals, and folk festivals. It holds a sacred value for the Acehnese people, serving as a physical manifestation of their principles and bravery.

Under the registration number EBT11202200122, Aceh Besar is designated as the region of origin, with the local Education and Culture Agency acting as the legal custodian. Moving forward, the regency plans to intensify the inventory of other traditional cultural expressions to ensure that Aceh Besar's diverse heritage remains protected for future generations. ***