Migration in the Process of Establishing Settlement Patterns in Langsa City, Aceh during the New Order Era

Doctoral Program of History, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang

^* Corresponding author: sumiyatisumabindulhamid@gmail.com

Abstract

This article examines the problem of why ethnic migration stimulates the formation of settlement patterns and how the construction of these settlement patterns is. By using the critical historical method, the results show that the city of Langsa was an “open” city since its inception and the most accessible in Aceh during the New Order Era. In New Order Era, through the transmigration program, facilitated an increasing flow of migration, thus increasing the number of Javanese ethnics who migrated in the area. Most of the migration was mainly driven by economic aspect. Langsa and its surrounding areas since colonial times have grown and developed into centers of economic activity. There several strategic commodities in Langsa, namely pepper, coffee, and mining. Ethnic groups who migrated in Langsa, among others; Aceh Sigli, Aceh Tamiang, Java, Minang, Batak, Chinese, and others where they tend to maintain their ethnic identity. From the various ethnicities, some of them, such as Acehnese, Minang, Javanese, and Chinese, then construct settlement patterns according to their respective ethnic backgrounds. This is reflected in the names of settlements such as Sukajadi Kebun Ireng, Gedubung Jawa, and Asem Peutik are settlements of Javanese ethnicity.