Masjid Keramat Pulau Tengah

Masjid Keramat Pulau Tengah: Silent Witness to Islamic Glory and Architectural Resilience in the Kerinci Realm

Kerinci Regency in Jambi Province is not only blessed with stunning natural beauty through Mount Kerinci and Lake Gunung Tujuh, but also holds an extraordinary Islamic civilization heritage. One of the most iconic historical landmarks is the Masjid Keramat Pulau Tengah. Located in Pulau Tengah Village, Keliling Danau District, this mosque is not merely a place of worship, but a symbol of resistance, architectural marvel, and the cultural identity of the Kerinci people that has endured for centuries.

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Origin and Construction Periodization

Masjid Keramat Pulau Tengah was built in the 18th century, specifically starting around the 1770s. The name "Pulau Tengah" itself refers to the geographical location of the village which was once surrounded by swamps and water, resembling an island in the middle of the land. The construction of this mosque was not an instant process, but rather a result of the local community's mutual cooperation over many years.

The existence of this mosque is closely related to the spread of Islam in the highlands of Kerinci. Based on the genealogy and oral traditions of the local residents, the construction of the mosque was initiated by scholars and traditional leaders who wanted to establish a center for Islamic propagation as well as a place for deliberation for the "Lempur Danau" community. The name "Keramat" (sacred/miraculous) was bestowed by the community due to a series of miraculous events that accompanied the history of this building, especially its resilience against various major disasters that struck the region.

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Architectural Uniqueness and Construction Details

Visually, Masjid Keramat Pulau Tengah represents a harmonious blend of Islamic architecture with Nusantara's local wisdom. The building structure is dominated by wood, following the principles of earthquake-resistant buildings understood by the ancestors of the Kerinci people.

1. Tiered Roof (Atap Tumpang): The mosque has a three-tiered pyramid-shaped roof (tumpang), which is a characteristic of ancient mosques in Indonesia before the influence of Middle Eastern-style domes. This roof symbolizes the levels in Sufism: Sharia, Tariqa, and Haqiqah.

2. Support Pillars (Soko Guru): The main uniqueness lies in its dozens of wooden pillars. The main pillar or central pillar is made of selected wood, which is said to have been taken from the forests around Kerinci through a specific traditional procession. The installation of these pillars was done without the use of iron nails, but rather by utilizing wooden pegs and highly precise traditional joinery techniques.

3. Distinctive Carvings: On the walls, window frames, and the pulpit, visitors can find typical Kerinci carving motifs called "Pucuk Rebung" (bamboo shoots) and other floral motifs. These carvings not only serve an aesthetic purpose but also contain philosophies about fertility, humility, and the relationship between humans and nature.

4. Flooring and Walls: Although it has undergone several renovations, most of the original wooden structure is still maintained. The mosque's floor is raised from the ground (stilt house system) to avoid soil moisture and the risk of flooding.

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Historical Events and the Significance of "Keramat"

The bestowal of the title "Keramat" upon this mosque is rooted in two major events that tested the building's resilience both physically and spiritually.

First, during the Dutch colonial era, Pulau Tengah Village became one of the centers of resistance for the Kerinci people, led by local scholars and warriors. In an attempt to suppress the resistance, Dutch soldiers tried to burn down the mosque, considering it a hiding place for the fighters. However, according to historical records and generational testimonies, the fire ignited by the Dutch soldiers repeatedly failed to burn the wooden building. The mosque remained standing strong while the residents' houses around it were reduced to ashes.

Second, its connection to seismic activity. The Kerinci region is located on a very active segment of the Sumatran fault. In 1942, 1995, and 2009, devastating earthquakes shook Kerinci and flattened many modern permanent buildings. However, Masjid Keramat Pulau Tengah miraculously only sustained minor damage. The flexibility of the wooden structure and the intelligence of the peg construction proved far superior in dampening seismic waves compared to modern concrete structures.

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Role of Local Figures and Scholars

The construction and prosperity of Masjid Keramat Pulau Tengah are inseparable from the role of charismatic scholars. One of the names often associated is the ancestors from the clans or Luhak in Pulau Tengah. This mosque became a place where customary law and Sharia law were harmonized through the principle of "Adat Bersendi Syara', Syara' Bersendi Kitabullah" (Custom is based on Sharia, Sharia is based on the Book of Allah). Here, prominent Kerinci scholars often gathered to discuss propagation strategies and strategies for facing the pressure of Dutch colonialism.

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Preservation Efforts and Historical Site Status

Currently, Masjid Keramat Pulau Tengah has been designated as a Cultural Heritage Site under the protection of the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) Region V. The central and regional governments periodically undertake restoration efforts to replace wooden parts that have begun to decay with age, without altering their original form.

The last major restoration was carried out very carefully to maintain the authenticity of the materials. The tin roof that was used for several decades has now been maintained in such a way as to remain consistent with its original form, while the interior still displays the grandeur of the old, darkened but not hollowed-out wood.

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Current Social and Religious Functions

For the people of Pulau Tengah and Kerinci in general, this mosque is not just a museum. To this day, Masjid Keramat remains actively used as a place for the five daily prayers, Friday prayers, and the commemoration of Islamic holidays such as the Prophet's Birthday and Isra' Mi'raj.

In addition to its religious functions, the mosque is also an important religious and historical tourist destination in Jambi. Architectural researchers and historians often visit this site to study ancient wooden construction techniques that have survived for over two centuries. The existence of this mosque also serves as a reminder to the younger generation of Kerinci about the glory of their ancestors' civilization, which was able to combine faith, art, and science.

As one of the oldest mosques in Jambi Province, Masjid Keramat Pulau Tengah stands as a monument of resilience. It is proof that buildings founded on sincerity, mutual cooperation, and respect for nature will be able to withstand the tests of time, both from the fiery attacks of colonizers and the violent tremors from within the earth.