ASI Mbojo Museum

Origins and Period of Establishment

The palace now known as Museum ASI Mbojo was built in 1927. Its construction was initiated by Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin, the 14th Sultan of Bima, who reigned between 1915 and 1951. Before this permanent building stood, the center of the Bima Sultanate's government was in a traditional wooden palace called Asi Pante.

The construction of this palace took about three years and was completed in 1930. The project involved a Dutch architect named Obzicter Rehatta, but the work was carried out through mutual cooperation by the people of Bima (Mbolo Ro Dampa). The presence of this palace marked an era of modernization of the sultanate's administration without abandoning the deeply rooted feudalistic-religious values in the land of Dana Mbojo.

Architecture: A Blend of Colonial Style and Local Symbolism

Architecturally, Museum ASI Mbojo reflects the Indische Empire style, an architectural trend popular in the Dutch East Indies in the early 20th century. The building is rectangular with two magnificent floors. Its main structure uses thick bricks with high ceilings for optimal air circulation in Bima's hot tropical climate.

The first floor of the palace served as the center for administrative activities and formal guest reception rooms. Here, there is a large hall that was once used for important sultanate meetings. Meanwhile, the second floor was more private, serving as the residence for the sultan and his immediate family.

The uniqueness of this building lies in its orientation. Although European in style, the palace was built facing west, in the direction of the Qibla and the Great Mosque of Al-Muwahidin Bima. In front of the palace, there is a large field called Serasuba, which was traditionally used as a gathering place for the people to hear the sultan's decrees or witness traditional celebrations like U’a Pua.

Historical Significance and Important Events

Museum ASI Mbojo is a witness to various major geopolitical events. During the Japanese occupation (1942-1945), the palace briefly served as a Japanese military headquarters in the eastern part of the archipelago. However, the most historic moment occurred in the post-independence era.

Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin was one of the regional leaders who from the beginning declared full support for the proclamation of Indonesian independence on August 17, 1945. Through his decree, he integrated the Bima Sultanate into the Republic of Indonesia. The palace then became the center for coordinating regional government in maintaining security stability in the Lesser Sunda region during the physical revolution.

One little-known unique fact is that President Soekarno once stayed at this palace during his visit to Bima. The room used by Bung Karno is still well-maintained today and is one of the main attractions for museum visitors.

Important Figures and Historical Collections

The central figure inseparable from this museum is Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin. He was known as a visionary sultan, fluent in various languages, and deeply concerned with education. The museum's collection features many of his personal memorabilia, ranging from ceremonial attire, handwritten sermon manuscripts, to household items left by the sultanate family.

Inside the museum, visitors can see thousands of artifacts divided into several categories:

1. Sultanate Regalia: Gold crowns, heirloom keris (such as the Keris Samparaja), and ceremonial umbrellas.

2. Ancient Manuscripts: A collection of Bo manuscripts (ancient Bima Sultanate records) written in the old Bima script and Malay language, containing customary laws, royal genealogies, and important events.

3. War Equipment: Ancient cannons left by the Portuguese and Dutch, as well as traditional weapons of the Mbojo people.

4. Traditional Musical Instruments: Drums, gongs, and flutes used in palace protocol.

Importance of Cultural and Religious Values

For the people of Bima, ASI Mbojo is not just a museum, but a symbol of the "Mojo" identity deeply infused with the spirit of Islam. This is reflected in the social structure around the palace. The palace's proximity to the mosque and market (the Catur Gatra concept) indicates that the sultan's power was based on divinity and the welfare of the people.

The tradition of U’a Pua, a festival commemorating the Prophet Muhammad SAW's birthday which involves a procession carrying flower-egg trees from the palace to the mosque, is still preserved today. The palace becomes the starting point for the departure of dancers and customary leaders, emphasizing the building's role as the gravitational center of Islamic culture in West Nusa Tenggara.

Preservation and Restoration Efforts

After the death of Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin and the abolition of the autonomous region system, the palace experienced a period of neglect. However, in the 1980s, through the initiative of the local government and the support of the palace family, the building began to be renovated and repurposed as a regional museum.

Major restoration was carried out to repair the roof and wooden structures that had begun to decay with age. The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Education and Culture, has designated Museum ASI Mbojo as a National Cultural Heritage Site. Currently, the museum is managed with more modern management, including the digitization of ancient manuscripts so they can be accessed by researchers from all over the world without damaging the physical manuscripts.

As a leading historical tourist destination in Bima, Museum ASI Mbojo continues to improve. The arrangement of the gardens surrounding the museum and artistic lighting at night keep the site relevant for the younger generation. It stands as a bridge connecting the grandeur of the Bima Sultanate's past with the spirit of present-day development, reminding everyone that in eastern Indonesia, there once stood a highly respected maritime and spiritual power.