Saka Tunggal Mosque

     Saka Tunggal Mosque in the village of the District Cikakak Wangon Banyumas is little known because of its uniqueness . The architecture of the mosque is hundreds of years old is no less intense with the building today . By simply relying on the strength of the main pillars for support the roof of the mosque which was made by Kiai Tolih , from Banyuwangi is able to survive for hundreds of years . And since 1980 the mosque was set to be the objects of cultural heritage .

One of the mosque 's original look that has not lost a single saka is in the middle of the mosque building . The single Saka made ​​from the inside ( galih ) teak carved colorful florals . At the base diameter of about 35 centimeters . Saka is standing up on top of the pyramid-shaped wuwungan , such as the Great Mosque of Demak wuwungan .

     One of the unique Single Saka is the presence of four strands of wood in the middle of the wing saka . Four wings are attached to the Preferred likely symbolize papat pancer mecca five, or four cardinal points and the center. Papat mecca five pancer means humans as pancer surrounded by four winds which symbolizes fire, wind, water, and earth.

Saka single symbol that person 's life such as alif , should be straight. Do not bend, do not be naughty, do not lie. If bent, it is no longer human.

      The four cardinal points it means that human life must be balanced . Not too much water if you do not want to drown, do not want a lot of wind when cold, do not play with fire if you do not want to burn, and do not worship the earth if you do not want to fall.

Life is to be balanced. This pancer mecca Papat five equals four existing lust in man. Four lust which in Islamic terminology, Java is often specified in terms aluamah,
mutmainah, Sopiah, and anger. Four were always fighting and lust affect human nature.

      Another authenticity of which is still preserved in the mosque since 1980 designated as a cultural heritage Banyumas are ornaments in the main room, especially in the pulpit and priest. Likewise sermon sticks are bundled with the pulpit.

     "However, the staff that was in the mosque when it is only a replica. I save the original sticks in a safe place, to avoid things that are not desirable, because the wand has a very high historical value " he continued.

    There are two pictorial carvings in wood -like flame sun mandala plate . Pictures like this are found in ancient buildings Singasari and Majapahit era.

     The specificity of this mosque is still there is a roof of coconut palm fiber black . " Actually, for the roof had been a couple of times a change of material, ranging from zinc to asbestos. However, the current era Regent Djoko Sudantoko leadership, returned as the original roof of the mosque, which uses fibers, "explained Salim,  Page of the mosque caretaker of a single generation to XII.

   Such as the spread of Islam in Java is not separated from other cultural influences before. Specialized in Java, Hinduism and Buddhism is a religion that has been embraced by the public first. No wonder then that many acculturation occurs between the religions cultures.

    In rural districts Cikakak Wangon , evidence of acculturation was also still visible to this day . Visible of course on building mosques and ornaments as well as material. "The shape of a pyramid on the roof of the mosque is a single Preferred native culture influenced by Javanese Hindu - Buddhist " said Salim,  Page of the mosque caretaker of a single generation to XII.

    Influence Hindu thinks also looked at the fabric roof of the mosque Saka Tunggal. " The roof of the fibers is a proof that the Hindu - Buddhist influence is still very strong in Saka Tunggal mosque, "said history professor who has specialized Banyumas and the surrounding areas.

    According to him, the evidence can still be seen in Bali.  "The temples and prayer places in Bali using fibers as the roof. Unlike temples in Java entirely using stone as a building material",  he said.

Evidence of acculturation product Hindu - Buddhist - Islamic Java and is the type of flow adopted by local residents. As per details palace mosque caretaker Saka Tunggal, Bambang Jauhari , Islam is growing in and around it is a product Cikakak Javanese culture and Islamic acculturation, " In my opinion, almost impossible to implement Islamic saklek and exactly the same as the God revealed in Arabic there. Perhaps is why our ancestors adapt to the cultural heritage of Java. These acculturation process which then led to flow Aboge (Alif Rebo Wage) ",  he explained.

    To this day, the flow Aboge still exist in this area. They live in harmony side by side with NU and Muhammadiyah flow is also believed by local villagers.