Wali is a word that refers to the person who spreads Islam in the land of Java around the 13th and 14th centuries. The number of wali in the land of Java is nine, so they are well-known as Wali Sanga or Wali Sembilan. The word wali is an abbreviation of Waliullah (the trusted one or the saint) chosen by God to spread Islam in Java, which Hinduism and Buddhism were the main religions at that time. The Wali Sanga introduced and spread Islam peacefully called "Penetration de Pasifique", which spread Islam calmly. Their spreading method was the syncretization and acculturation of culture. The preserved cultural heritages are tombs, literary arts, music art, and art performance. The tombs of the nine saints in East Java are located Gresik, Surabaya, Lamongan, and Tuban. People in East Java periodically visit the tombs for spiritual pilgrimage. This has both religious and social values, which grow the economy of society around the tombs and tour agents that provide transportation. Thus, the tomb is as a sign of social culture of traditional Islamic society in East Java. Another oral tradition is the literary art, such as tembang Macapat (Macapat songs) and a traditional rhythm that depicts the religious syiar, like Ilir-ilir which gives the lesson of Pillars of Islam and the virtue of time, Dhandhanggula, and Kidung Rumeksa Ing Wengi, which describe the efficacy of Ayat Kursy. The songs now undergo cultural transformation in various forms, thus, bringing significant socio-cultural impact. In the art of music, Javanese gamelan for Karawitan, such as Bonang (derived from Sunan Bonang) which initially as a means of da'wah process of Islam in Java becomes a part of the Javanese cultural identities and economic values. Architectural arts, especially mosques that combine traditional elements, transformation of Hindu influences, and the Middle East, make the mosque in Java Indonesia become characteristic of art in the field of architecture and modern design. Similarly, wayang (puppet) first is a means of propagation of Hindu syncretic method with modification of form, function, and meaning. Wayang now has become the cultural identity of Indonesia, and it is one of the World Heritages launched by UNESCO.
展开▼
