By: Prabowo Subianto [taken from the Book: Military Leadership Notes from Experience Chapter I]
I am impressed with the unyielding spirit and courage of Cut Nyak Dien.
She proved to Acehnese and the Indonesian people that we could win a military struggle despite overwhelming odds.
She also proved that Indonesian women could lead a continuous resistance movement that hinders the enemy against all odds.
Cut Nyak Dien is a national hero from Aceh. She was born in 1848 in Lampadang Peukan Bada, Aceh Besar. As were many leaders in the Dutch colonial period, she also waged a guerrilla war against the Dutch.
When the Dutch conquered Aceh Besar in 1874, Cut Nyak Dien was among those forced to evacuate. However, Teuku Cek Ibrahim Lamnga, the first husband of Cut Nyak Dien, was determined to reclaim his territory. In an attempt to retake Aceh Besar, Teuku Cek Ibrahim Lamnga was killed on 29 June 1878.
After the death of Teuku Cek Ibrahim Lamnga, Cut Nyak Dien was determined to carry on her husband’s struggle and vowed to defeat the Dutch.
In 1880, Cut Nyak Dien married Teuku Umar, who was also an Acehnese fighter. Despite her marital status, she was still allowed to fight on the battlefield. This further boosted the spirit of the Acehnese fighters to fight the Dutch.
Resistance by the Acehnese in a guerrilla-style manner continued for years. Teuku Umar and Cut Nyak Dien rallied the Acehnese people in a holy war against the Dutch. They finally managed to reclaim control of Aceh Besar from the Dutch in 1884.
From Aceh Besar, Cut Nyak Dien broadened the resistance against the Dutch in the rural areas of Meulaboh, on the western shore of Aceh. For six years, the Dutch did not succeed in capturing her.
I am impressed with the unyielding spirit and courage of Cut Nyak Dien. She proved to Acehnese and the Indonesian people that we could win a military struggle despite overwhelming odds. She also proved that Indonesian women could lead a sustained clandestine resistance that frustrated a much stronger enemy.
