Authors
Nelly van Doorn‐Harder, Kees De Jong
Publication date
2001/9
Journal
The Muslim World
Volume
91
Issue
3‐4
Pages
325-354
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Description
Central Java. To the south is the coast area of Parangtritis, the location of the mythical spirit Queen of the South (Ratu Kidul). Close to that is the mausoleum of Imogiri with the grave of Sultan Agung (1613-46), the third and greatest king of the Muslim empire of Mataram. To the north is the active volcano Merapi, while to the northeast is the grave of one of the founders of Islam in Central Java: Sunan Bayat. This landscape stiil invites pilgrims and it is thought that cosmic forces and legendary characters are constantly present.'Pilgrimage to a holy place in Indonesia is called zkzrah. Basically, sites for zkzrab on Java are the graves of Muslim saints or Muslim kings and nobles. For example, the graves of the wlisanga, the founders of Islam on Java, draw visitors from all over the archipelago, while many graves of Muslim leaders, mystics or initiators of psanm (Islamic boarding schools), the kzjwz; are of local importance, Pilgrimages are also made to sites situated in impressive natural landscapes such as mountaintops and caverns often considered to be holy places, loci of spiritual and magical forces. Popular belief holds that a grave on top of a mountain considerably adds to the atmosphere of holiness. Thus, several graves of Muslim saints are situated on tops of mountains. The Javanese people-Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Buddhists-like to spend the night in such places while holding vigils of fasting and meditating, or to give a sehmzkzn, a meal of blessing.*
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