Aceh and Nias in Several Reviews of Literature in Indonesian National Newspapers

摘要

This article aims to describe the review of Indonesian literary works with Aceh and Nias ethnic background in national newspapers. The object of this research article is a literature review article in five national newspapers: Kompas, Republika, Media Indonesia, Koran Sindo, and Koran Tempo for the past 4 years. From a number of Indonesian literary works that have been reviewed in national newspapers in the last four years, there are several literary works that elevate theme or background from the ethnic Acehnese or Nias. Aceh is the representative of far end region as the westernmost and northernmost tip of Indonesia which is often marginalized in the Indonesian-ness arena, including in literature. Likewise, Nias, which is geographically included in the North Sumatra region, has also been categorized as the outer ethnic group since the colonial period. Furthermore, it is found that in Indonesian literature, these two ethnicities are conferred in several literary works. Thus, Aceh and Nias with their diversification are an entity that is discussed in the context of contemporary Indonesian literary history.