Cultural Continuity and Legal Adaptation: The Evolution of Suluh in Aceh’s Conflict Resolution System

This article examines the concept of Suluh as a culturally grounded model of conflict resolution in Acehnese society, analyzed through both historical developments and normative Islamic frameworks. The study aims to analyze the function and legitimacy of Suluh in resolving social disputes at the community level. Employing a qualitative approach, it integrates library research and fieldwork, including direct observation and interviews in Banda Aceh, South Aceh, and North Aceh. The findings reveal that Suluh serves as a culturally embedded mechanism for peaceful conflict resolution, historically rooted in Aceh’s traditional governance systems since the kingdom era. Normatively, it is legitimized through references in Islamic sources such as the Qur’an and Hadith. In contemporary practice, Suluh is institutionalized through Qanun Gampong (village regulations), enabling its formal role in village-level dispute resolution. This study contributes to the discourse on localized conflict resolution models by highlighting the relevance of indigenous mechanisms like Suluh for integration into broader legal and social frameworks.