The Acehnese (also Achinese) are a people in Aceh, Indonesia. Their homeland is located in the northern-most tip of the island of Sumatra and had a history of political struggle against the Dutch. Their language, the Acehnese, belongs to the Western Malayo-Polynesian branch of the Austronesian language family.
They were at one time Hinduized, as is evident from their traditions and the many Sanskrit words in their language. They have been Muslims for several centuries and are generally the most conservative Muslim ethnic group in Indonesia.
Traditionally, there have been a large number of Acehnese agriculturists, metal-workers and weavers. Traditionally matrilocal, their social organization is communal. They live in gampôngs, which combine to form districts known as mukims.
Aceh came to international attention as being one of the hardest-hit regions of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake with 120,000 people dead.
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Due to conflict since Dutch invasion to Aceh until Martial Law in Aceh and 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake, many Acehnese fled abroad. The most significant number of Acehnese can be found in Malaysia[1][2] and Scandinavia[3] countries. Acehnese immigrant also can be found significantly in Singapore[4], Thailand[5], Australia, United States[6] and Canada.
   | Ethnologue.com on Aceh language - Ethnologue report for language code:ace |
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