The Mante Tribe

The Mante tribe (Gayo: Manti) or also spelled Mantir, is one of the earliest ethnic touted in folk legend ever inhabiting Aceh. This tribe, along with other indigenous tribes such as Lanun, Sakai, Jakun, Senoi, and Semang, are the ethnic groups of today's Acehnese. The Mante tribe is thought to belong to the Proto Malay family, originally settled in the area around Aceh Besar, and lived in the interior of the forest. The indigenous tribes are thought to emigrate to Aceh via the Malay Peninsula.

In the legend of Aceh, the Mante and Batak tribes are touted as the forerunner of Kawom Lhèë Reutōïh (tribe of three hundred), which is one of the indigenous groups of Aceh. Currently the Mante tribe is extinct, or disappeared because it was mixed with tribes of other migrants who came later. To date, there is still no strong scientific evidence for the existence of this tribe.