1. The History

The Pondok Tinggi Grand Mosque is one of historical witnesses of Islamic dissemination in previous centuries in Kerinci, West Sumatera, Indonesia. Alongside as a historical proof of high skilled local wood carvers and builders who were commissioned to build the mosque structure. The architecture of the mosque that appears with some similarities to those of mosques in Nusantara (Malay Archipelago), particularly the roof, indicates that Kerinci historically became one of regions of Islamic architectural dissemination in the Malay Archipelago. The Islamic architecture has a unique style and feature. Most of the mosques in the Nusantara, including the Pondok Tinggi Grand Mosque, have same architectural style and feature.  

The mosque was built communally in 1874 by Pondok Tinggi villagers. According to local writing, the establishment was begun on Wednesday, June 1, 1874, and finished in 1902. Strong communal culture of the villagers in the time can be seen in the process of the mosque construction. It is said that all villagers, men and women, worked together in collecting timbers as a main building material. During this period, they also conducted some performing arts of Kerinci such as pencak silat to increase their work spirit.

When the timbers and the foundation of building structure were completely prepared, the villagers met to discuss some plannings and to form a committee of mosque construction. The forum selected four persons who were in charge of the project: Bapak Rukun (Rio Mandaro), Bapak Hasip (Rio Pati), Bapak Timah Taat and Haji Rajo Saleh (Rio Tumenggung). As regard the design of construction, the villagers together with the committee commissioned M. Tiru from Rio Mandaro district. For the Pondok Tinggi Grand Mosque, only 12 persons, the most skilled local wood carvers and builders who were commissioned to build the structure. As the result, the mosque construction can be seen until this present day. According to local story, the mosque establishment was preceded by glittering ceremonies during seven days and nights, and cheered up by the slaughter of 12 buffalos. Not only the villagers who attended the ceremonies cheerfully, but a prince of Jambi Kingdom also presented to make them more glittering. Unfortunately the prince‘s name until today is unknown.

2. The Location

The Pondok Tinggi Grand Mosque lays in Pondok Tinggi village, sub-district of Sungai Penuh, Kerinci district, Jambi, Indonesia. Sungai Penuh is an upper land area with cool climate and beautiful green nature.

3. The Measure

This part is still in the process of data collecting.

4. The Architecture

The mosque is a historical evidence of high skilled villagers in structuring a building. The mosque building can be seen from distant places. The total height of the mosque building is about 100 feet. As other mosques‘ roofs in Malay Archipelago, the Pondok Tinggi Grand Mosque‘s roof has three tiers made of zinc, the higher roof is the smaller one shaped as pyramid. According to local inhabitants, the three tiered roof symbolizes the life order of the society, namely bapucak satau (one top), barampe juroi, and batingkat tigae (three tiers). In brief word, the philosophical terms above means (1) that one top is intended to symbolize respect toward the head of adat, besides to uphold the belief on the only almighty God; (2) barampe juroi means that there are four juroi in the Pondok Tinggi village. Each juroi has one head of adat, called also ninik mamak, and one imam. Therefore, there are four heads of adat and four imams in the four juroi; (3) three tiered roof means that the society will never ignore seko nan tega takak (three tiers pusaka or heritage), namely pusaka tengnai, pusaka ninik mamak and pusaka depati. The explanation above describes part of philosophy of life of the community related to their needs and custom.

The mosque building is supported by 36 big firm columns separated into three kinds below:

1. Tiang panjang sambela, four columns which are modeled as square form placed in the main area. The timber columns, called tiang tuo (old columns), look so strong that resemble soko guru (timber master columns) in the Javanese architecture. Golden nails hammered on each tiang tuo to save the mosque from the hazard of disasters; red and white cloths hanged at the tops of the columns to symbolize honor and magnificence. There is no further explanation whether the cloths hanged after the day of Indonesian Independence or long before it, because the Indonesia‘s flag colors are red and white.
2. Tiang panjang limau, eight columns which are modeled as square form placed in the middle of the building.
3. Tiang panjang duea, 24 columns which are modeled as square form structured at the outside of the mosque building.

Among these columns, several suspended columns are constructed to have an elastic strength in supporting the building from constant earthquake that indeed often smashed the region. The columns are decorated with the stylization of flora.

After the Independence of Indonesia, the mosque had ever been visited by Mohammad Hatta, the vice president of the Republic of Indonesia at the time, and by Ruslan Mulyoharjo, the governor of Central Sumatera. Today, the mosque still stands firmly with the wooden wall. Many Islamic activities such as Islamic da‘wah and religious broadcasting are centered in the mosque.

5. Planning

The Pondok Tinggi mosque was designed by M. Tiru, a member of Pondok Tinggi community.

6. Renovation

The data about the renovation of the mosque are still collected.

(RI/ter/3/7-07)

Source:

Abdul Bagir Zein. 1999. Masjid-Majid Bersejarah di Indonesia. Jakarta: Gema Insani Press.

Credit photo : www.trekearth.com

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Comment of "pondok tinggi grand mosque"

11 Nov 2011. angga informasinya nice..............

13 Jul 2013. fuady haris saputra Candi muaro jambi kenapa tidak ada Sangat disayangkan

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