During the 17th century Portugal, Great Britain, and the Netherlands battled for political control of the area. The Acehnese are not as poor as are those in many other parts of Indonesia. Most families are agriculturists. Their diet includes rice served with meat, fish, or vegetables. Traditional clothing is a colorful skirt, worn by both men and women, called a sarong.
Most families live in houses that consist of a sleeping room and a large living room.
The living room may also serve as the kitchen and contain a rectangular hearth filled with clay and ashes. Families use the space underneath for cattle stalls or chicken coops, or to store tools and firewood. The floors and walls are made of timber or flattened bamboo. The roofs are covered by clay tiles or thatch made of palm leaves. Acehnesian households are run by the women.