Suada Mosque (Baangkat Mosque)

Historical Traces and Architecture of Suada Mosque (Baangkat Mosque): A Maritime Gem in Hulu Sungai Selatan

Masjid Suada, more commonly known by the local community as Masjid Baangkat, stands as one of the most iconic monuments of Islamic civilization in South Kalimantan. Located in Wasah Hilir Village, Simpur District, Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency, this mosque is not merely a place of worship, but a silent witness to the ebb and flow of the Banjar people's struggle against colonialism, and a testament to local architectural ingenuity of its time.

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Origin and Background of Establishment

Masjid Suada was founded in 1908 AD (1328 Hijriah) by two highly respected scholarly brothers in the Wasah region, namely Haji Abbas and Haji Muhammad Su’ud. The name "Suada" itself is derived from the name of one of its founders, Haji Muhammad Su’ud, to immortalize his services in pioneering the construction of this house of Allah.

The choice of location in Wasah Hilir was inseparable from the past geographical conditions where river transportation was the lifeblood of the community. The construction of this mosque was driven by the urgent need for a center for Islamic da'wah (preaching) and education in the rapidly developing Simpur region at the beginning of the 20th century. Before the existence of this mosque, the community had to travel long distances to perform Friday prayers or celebrate major Islamic holidays.

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Philosophy of the Name "Baangkat" and Unique Construction

The term "Baangkat" originates from the Banjar language, meaning "lifted" or "raised." This name refers to the unique structure of the mosque, which is built in a stilt house style with a considerably high underfloor space. According to oral traditions passed down through generations, during the construction process, the foundation and floor of the mosque were built first on the ground, and then collectively lifted onto support pillars approximately 2 meters high.

This stilt construction served both practical and philosophical purposes. Practically, this design was a clever adaptation to the swampy terrain of Hulu Sungai Selatan, which often experienced river overflow (flooding) during the rainy season. Philosophically, the elevated position of the building symbolizes the nobility of a place of worship that must be held in high regard above worldly affairs.

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Vernacular Architecture and Ulin Wood Material

Architecturally, Masjid Suada reflects the strong traditional Banjar building style with touches of Demak influence and the local inland Kalimantan characteristics. The entire main structure of the building, from the pillars, floor, to the walls, is made of ulin wood (Eusideroxylon zwageri), also known as ironwood. This wood was chosen for its exceptional resistance to water and weather, becoming even stronger with age.

One of the prominent features is the three-tiered roof (tumpang telu) that tapers upwards, an influence from the architecture of ancient mosques in Java, combined with the distinctive Banjar Bubungan Tinggi style. The apex of the roof is adorned with an artistic mustaka or memolo. Inside, there are four main pillars (saka guru) supporting the highest roof structure, symbolizing the four companions of the Prophet Muhammad or the four major schools of Islamic jurisprudence.

The mosque walls are decorated with carvings of flora motifs (plants) such as tendrils and jasmine flowers. The use of living creature motifs (fauna) was avoided in accordance with the prevailing Islamic aesthetic principles of the time. The mosque's windows are large and numerous to ensure cool air circulation, even without modern cooling devices.

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Strategic Role in the Independence Struggle

Masjid Suada served not only as a center for religious rituals. During the Dutch colonial era and the Japanese occupation, the mosque became a secret base and meeting place for independence fighters in the Hulu Sungai region. Due to its location slightly set back from the main road but easily accessible by water, religious leaders and fighters often held strategy discussions for resistance under the mosque's roof.

The existence of Masjid Baangkat became a symbol of cultural resistance. It was here that the spirit of jihad was ignited to fight against the injustice of the colonizers. The scholars of Wasah used the mosque's pulpit to convey messages of unity and national independence, making the mosque the heart of social movements in Simpur.

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Importance of Cultural and Religious Values

For the people of Hulu Sungai Selatan, Masjid Suada is a center of spirituality. Traditions like "Baayun Maulid" and other major Islamic celebrations are often held in the mosque's courtyard, involving all the villagers. The presence of an old well in the mosque area is also often considered to possess a special blessing by pilgrims coming from various regions in South Kalimantan.

This mosque also served as a center for learning the Quran and yellow books for the younger generation since its establishment. Many prominent scholars in South Kalimantan who, in their youth, received religious education or simply performed i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) in this old mosque.

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Preservation Status and Conservation Efforts

Given its high historical and architectural value, Masjid Suada has been designated as a Cultural Heritage Object under the supervision of the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) Region XIX. As a historical site, local and central governments periodically undertake restoration efforts to maintain the authenticity of the building.

The restorations are carried out with great care to avoid losing original materials. Replacements are only made on parts of the wood that are truly decayed, and even then, with the same type of ulin wood. To this day, the authenticity of the building's form, the beautifully carved wooden pulpit, and the old drum (bedug) remain well-preserved.

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Unique Facts and Specialties

One of the unique facts about Masjid Suada is its wooden joinery system, which uses the pating (wooden peg) technique without the use of iron nails. This demonstrates the skill of Banjar carpenters in the past in constructing large, stable, and vibration-flexible buildings. Furthermore, the mosque's layout, precisely facing the qibla, indicates the founders' profound knowledge of astronomy.

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Conclusion

Masjid Suada, or Masjid Baangkat, is a monument that encapsulates the identity of the Banjar people: religious, adaptive to nature, and possessing a strong fighting spirit. Standing majestically in Wasah Hilir, this mosque continues to serve as a reminder to the current generation of the importance of preserving ancestral heritage. As one of the premier historical sites in Hulu Sungai Selatan, Masjid Suada is not just an old building, but the soul of Islamic civilization in the Land of Antaludin, continuing to radiate its light to this day.