The Life of an Aceh Comedian

Udin Pelor, 74, was a popular cagok (comedian) in Aceh from the 1970s to the 2000s. He was the star of theatrical performances and an icon of comedy in Aceh.Now, in his old age, Udin Pelor,lives a quiet life.

Udin Pelor, 74, was a popular cagok (comedian) in Aceh from the 1970s to the 2000s. He was the star of theatrical performances and an icon of comedy in Aceh, known as the land of rencong (knife). Now, in his old age, Udin Pelor, whose real name is Mahyuddin, lives a quiet life.

KOMPAS/ZULKARNAINI

Udin Pelor

"This is my home, a rented one," Udin Pelor invited Kompas to enter his house in Peuniti village, Baiturrahman district, Banda Aceh city, on Wednesday (25/8/2019). In the 4 by 8 square meter house, he lives with his wife, Halimah, 67. His life is now not as cheerful as what appeared on stage when he was performing. He lives in the midst of hardship.

Nevertheless, he tries to take his troubles in his stride. Sometimes he laughs at his own life by saying, "A comedian is a peuleumak kuah gob," meaning that a comedian\'s job is really to make someone else\'s cooking good, to make people happy even though he himself suffers.

Udin entertained others for decades. Together with the theatrical group he formed, Sinar Desa Geulanggang Labu, he performed from one stage to the next. The day before the performance, the committee would usually travel to villages to announce that Udin Pelor would perform. People would wait for his performance with enthusiasm.

Sorry, brothers and sisters, if you want to earn money, don\'t plant cannabis. It will ruin the nation’s future, because people will get addicted to the pleasure of cannabis smoking.

With his peculiar jokes, sometimes satire, he always managed to make the audience laugh out loud. His material usually consisted of stories, advice, or satire. For example, "With bismillah [in the name of God], let me start the story. I have some news. Sorry, brothers and sisters, if you want to earn money, don\'t plant cannabis. It will ruin the nation’s future, because people will get addicted to the pleasure of cannabis smoking. Many brothers are now impoverished, they live in mental hospitals."

In the 1990s, Udin was often invited by politicians to work as a campaigner. In fact, former Aceh governor Ibrahim Hasan once invited him to socialize a government program. The task was to build images through funny dialogues.

Although he was close to the number one person in Aceh, Udin never asked to become a civil servant. He felt it was enough to be a comedian and have a comedy show on local television.

The name Udin Pelor

KOMPAS/ZULKARNAINI

Udin Pelor

Udin Pelor was born as Mahyuddin. As a teenager in the 1960s, he accidentally joined the army to launch a crackdown on the Darul Islam/Indonesian Islamic Troops (DI/TII) rebel group in Langsa waters. In the middle of the sea, his ship was shot by the DI/TII rebels. Six people on board were killed, while Udin was not hit at all.

When he returned to the port, Udin was nicknamed Seuk Pelor because he had not been hit despite being shot at, This was based on the joke that a bullet-proof person must be shot using a new pelor (bullet). Since then, he has been called Udin Pelor.

He was born in Matanggeulumpangdua village, Bireuen regency, on June 6, 1945, two months before the proclamation of independence when Indonesia was in a difficult situation. That is why, since childhood, he has lived in hardship and poverty with his family. Because he was poor, he did not finish junior high school.

Poverty drove him out of his village and he went to Langsa Harbor, Langsa city, which is 250 kilometers from his village, to make a living. He worked odd jobs, sometimes as a coolie, sold cigarettes or sold newspapers.

He then became a drug dealer, selling on the street or the market. To attract buyers he would tell jokes. Many people enjoyed his jokes so the name Udin Pelor soon became famous. Over time, his comedic skills became more and more honed. He eventually moved from the roadside to a real stage in villages and then television.

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His appearance on stage was fairly consistent. He always wore a black robe and a cowboy hat with hair hanging down his neck. Sometimes he danced in the style of Michael Jackson. With such a stage style, coupled with a handsome face, long hair and tall stature, Udin soon became an idol at the time.

As the era changed, Aceh\'s traditional jokes were gradually forgotten for other types of entertainment, including electronic devices or gadgets. Entering the 2000s, the demand for comedians fell. Since that time also, Udin began to lose income.

Now, in his old age, there is almost nothing left from his past glory as a comedian. Udin has had to accept the fact that he lives in a small room in a shop, which he rents for Rp 4 million per year with his wife Halimah. They both rely on alms of Rp 400,000 per month and sometimes help from a number of benefactors.

In their room there is almost no furniture. There is only an old mattress, a donation from people for them to sleep on. In addition, there are several photo albums that record the times when Udin was a stage star. Through the albums, Udin and Halimah often recall the long road they have been through in life.

KOMPAS/ZULKARNAINI

Udin Pelor

Udin has never regretted becoming a comedian. Although comedy did not give him wealth, he is proud because he has entertained many people in Aceh. Even if he is worried, it is not because of poverty, but because there is not a new generation of people that want to become comedians in Aceh.

"Children are now busy using cellphones. Traditional art doesn\'t sell anymore," Udin said.

Mahyuddin or Udin Pelor

Born : Bireuen, 6 June 1945

Wife : Halimah

Child : One

Profession : Comedian

Award : Inspiring Artist from Mayor of Banda Aceh 2008