[5] Simeulue was historically known to European mariners as "Hog Island"[6] and served as a landfall for ships seeking ports on the west coast of Sumatra for the pepper trade.

[8] During the earthquake, Simeulue rose at least 2 metre (6 ft) on the western coast; this left the flat top of its coral reefs above high tide.

[11][12][13][14][15] Historically, Simeulue society, culture and practices are guided by ancestral indigenous wisdom which are past down through oral tradition.

These oral traditions include Nandong (humming with kedang and or violin),[16] nanga-nanga (sung storytelling) and mananga-nanga (lullabies).

[17] These traditions have allowed for stories such as the 'smong' to be passed down generationally[10] Over the past ten years Simeulue has become a popular surfing destination.