CORONA IN CULTURE: TRADITION OF WARDING OFF THE PLAGUE IN ACEHNESE SOCIETY

Abstract

Aceh has received international attention because it opposes the continuous colonialism and also
because of its cultural uniqueness of both patriotism and socio-culture. The uniqueness of culture
is deeply felt because Aceh has special autonomy in Indonesia. A plural society is also its cultural
gift. Currently, China is the first country hit by the coronavirus (Covid-19). This virus continues
to spread, and it was declared a world pandemic by the WHO. The Acehnese are also affected by
this coronavirus. However, in Aceh culture, the coronavirus is called Taeuen. This study used
Mead's symbolic interaction theory. The research method used was qualitative. The results show
that the coronavirus is identical to Taeuen and for the people of Aceh this outbreak is very
frightening. So that when they find out that there is an outbreak of a disease that has entered their
environment, the people of Aceh will impose restrictions on interactions with other human
environments. In handling the spread of the plague, people in Aceh also apply cultural traditions
that are believed to be able to ward off the spread of the virus. The tradition with the Islamic
approach has been carried out since hundreds of years ago and is still believed during the current
world Corona outbreak