Although dubbed as a province that has a strict Islamic rule, does not mean that Aceh is covered with all kinds of ethnicity. Upholding religious tolerance is one of the tangible things in Aceh.
It was seen during the celebration of Lunar New Year on Friday, February 16, 2018, which featured the game of Barongsai. The team joined in the Indonesian Sports Barongsai Federation (FOBI) did not only come from Chinese citizens, but also Acehnese. From a dozen lion players, since 2013, there are seven Acehnese children joining Dragon Golden. They were initially under the guidance of Hakka Aceh Foundation and have now become FOBI Aceh athletes.
Of the seven players of Aceh ethnic barongsai, which became the center of attention is Ratih Puspasari (20) and Nabila Wulandari (18). They are not ethnic Chinese descendants, but teenage Muslimah Banda Aceh City who became a cymbal. VIVA Watchlist, they are quite excited, no sense of awkwardness in playing a cymbal instrument and follow the beat of the gong to accompany dance lion dance. The two Acehnese girls were interested in lion dance during the Vesak celebration of 2013.
"We saw the lion dance then wanted to come. Finally we entered into a Dragon Dragon player, "said Ratih after the act of playing barongsai at Sakyamuni Buddhist temple, Peunayoung, Banda Aceh, Friday, February 16, 2018.
Ratih view, lion dance is a unique and exciting entertainment attraction. He also had the desire to be involved and play one of these musical instruments. In 2013, Ruth asked permission to his parents to join. Once permitted, he also enrolled and participated in exercises with friends of other ethnic Chinese children.
"It's become a hobby now. Like it because it's fun even though this also includes sports, "said Ratih. Meanwhile, Nabila just joined for six months ago. He is interested to join because inspired by Ratih who has long joined and still look Muslimah.
"The first fear but because see Kak Ratih so kepengen try," he said. Moreover, he said, his parents always come to watch his performance and encouragement. "If parents allow me. He always reminds us not to forget religion. If the culture please learn, but should not follow the teachings of religion because we are Muslims, "he said.
Chairman of FOBI Aceh, Kho Khie Siong who is often called Aky said, never limiting lion player only played by ethnic Chinese. Anyone, he says, can play it. He acknowledged, there is still the assumption of lion dance is a ritual of worship. In fact, this is a Chinese cultural arts. However, at this time, the people of Aceh have understood to allow the children to be involved as a team of Barongsai.
He always reminded the Dragon Dragon lion team to pay attention to time. Like, during prayer time, the game must be stopped. "Do not let worship be disturbed. This is very important, worship should take precedence, "he said. ***
Meski dijuluki sebagai provinsi yang memiliki aturan Islam ketat, bukan berarti Aceh tertutup dengan segala jenis etnis. Menjunjung tinggi toleransi antarumat beragama menjadi salah satu hal yang nyata di Aceh.
Hal itu terlihat ketika perayaan Imlek pada Jumat, 16 februari 2018, yang menampilkan permainan Barongsai. Tim yang tergabung dalam Federasi Olahraga Barongsai Indonesia (FOBI) itu tak cuma berasal dari warga keturunan Tionghoa, tetapi juga warga Aceh. Dari belasan pemain barongsai, sejak 2013 lalu, ada tujuh anak Aceh bergabung dengan Dragon Golden. Mereka awalnya di bawah binaan Yayasan Hakka Aceh dan kini telah menjadi atlet FOBI Aceh.
Dari tujuh pemain barongsai etnis Aceh tersebut, yang menjadi pusat perhatian adalah Ratih Puspasari (20) dan Nabila Wulandari (18). Mereka bukan keturunan etnis Tionghoa, melainkan remaja Muslimah Kota Banda Aceh yang menjadi pemain simbal. Pantauan VIVA, mereka cukup bersemangat, tak ada rasa canggung sedikitpun dalam memainkan alat musik simbal dan mengikuti hentakan gong untuk mengiringi tarian barongsai. Dua gadis Aceh itu mulai tertarik barongsai saat perayaan Waisak 2013.
“Waktu itu kami melihat barongsai, lalu ingin ikut. Akhirnya kami masuk menjadi pemain Dragon Golden,” ujar Ratih usai beraksi bermain barongsai di Vihara Budha Sakyamuni, Peunayoung, Kota Banda Aceh, Jumat, 16 Februari 2018.
Ratih melihat, barongsai adalah suatu atraksi hiburan yang unik dan seru. Dia pun punya keinginan untuk bisa terlibat dan memainkan salah satu alat musik tersebut. Pada 2013 lalu, Ratih meminta izin kepada kepada kedua orangtuanya untuk bergabung. Setelah diizinkan, ia pun mendaftarkan diri dan ikut latihan bersama teman-teman anak etnis Tionghoa lainnya.
“Sekarang sudah menjadi hobi. Suka saja karena seru rasanya apalagi ini juga termasuk olahraga,” kata Ratih. Sementara, Nabila baru bergabung selama enam bulan lalu. Dia tertarik ingin bergabung karena terinspirasi Ratih yang sudah sejak lama bergabung dan tetap berpenampilan Muslimah.
“Pertamanya takut tapi karena lihat Kak Ratih jadi kepengen coba,” ujarnya. Apalagi, kata dia, orangtuanya selalu datang menyaksikan penampilannya dan memberi semangat. “Kalau orangtua mengizinkan sih. Ia selalu ingatkan kami tidak boleh melupakan agama. Kalau budaya silakan belajar, tapi tidak boleh mengikuti ajaran agama karena kami Muslim,” ucapnya.
Ketua FOBI Aceh, Kho Khie Siong yang kerap disapa Aky mengatakan, tidak pernah membatasi pemain barongsai hanya dimainkan oleh etnis Tionghoa. Siapa pun, kata dia, bisa memainkannya. Ia mengakui, masih ada anggapan barongsai merupakan ritual ibadah. Padahal, ini sebuah seni budaya Tiongkok. Namun, saat ini, masyarakat Aceh sudah paham sehingga mengizinkan anak-anak terlibat sebagai tim Barongsai.
Ia selalu mengingatkan tim barongsai Dragon Golden agar memperhatikan waktu. Seperti, saat waktu salat, permainan harus dihentikan. “Jangan sampai ibadah terganggu. Ini sangat penting, ibadah harus diutamakan,” ujarnya.***
#viva.co.id