The islamization of space and architecture in javanese mosques

Animist beliefs, dynamism beliefs, Hinduism and Buddhism affect the order and aspects of Indonesian people's lives in terms of traditions, norms, and also affect Indonesian architecture such as the character of mosques. The hypothesis of this research is that there is Islamization in both the space and form of mosques in Java. It can be determined that there have been influences of Hindu-Buddhist architecture in the Javanese mosque since its inception, but that a special perception of space emerged with the equipment and symbols specific to Islamic mosque architecture and developed depending on the Javanese Islamic culture. From this hypothesis, it raises research questions, namely (1) how did space and architecture become Islamic? (2) How is the Islamization of Wali Songo's space and architecture in Javanese mosques? The aims and objectives of this research is examine the new meaning of Islam to differentiate from Hindu-Buddha in mosque architecture in Java from the aspects of element area of mosque and temple especially about meaning of (1) the element of spatial system: landuse, circulation, landscape, vegetation, activity and ritual; (2) the element of physical system: building form, massing and building orientation; (3) the element of stylistic system: outdoor ornaments. This study use semiotic method with denotation and connotation criterias from Roland Barthes, thus use hermeneutics method, and also use comparative method to compare between mosque and temple. The first conclusions of this study are the Islamic character in the spatial elements in Javanese Mosques is found in the land use, stairs and vegetations. The synchronization (two or more things working in harmony) of mosque gate is the kala at Paduraksa gate was replaced with kala with a flower tendril motif. Then there is synchronization of activities and rituals in Javanese Mosques such as Islamic celebration activities, but they are synchronized with Hindu-Buddhist and Javanese culture. The second conclusions of this study are the Islamic character in the physical elements of Javanese mosques is found in the orientation and location of the mosque. The direction of worship which is centered towards the Kabbah influences the position of mosques throughout Indonesia which are towards the west. This is different from the direction of Hindu-Buddhist temples which leads to the mountain. Then there is synchronization of the Javanese Mosque from the roof aspect. The roof of a Javanese mosque is a synchronization of the roof of a temple, namely Meru, whose concept is a terraced roof. However, what makes it different is that the roof of this Javanese mosque has its own uniqueness which is not found on the Meru roof. The roof of a Javanese mosque only has tajug 1, tajug 2, and tajug 3, while the roof of the Meru temple is a roof with 3 to 11 floors. Lastly, from the aspect of stylistic element, external ornaments of Javanese mosques show Islamic character because they do not use statues of animal or human elements.