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Even though it is certain that Muslims from foreign countries had for a long time been visiting the Indonesian islands, it was not until the 15th and 16th centuries that the religion of Islam began to have a strong influence on traditional Javanese culture. Muslim missionary activity in Java began in earnest during the early 1400's and coincided with the decline of the last and greatest of the island's Hindu empires, Majapahit. From its birth and initial growth in the regions of Gresik and Surabaya, the religion spread rapidly until, by the end of the century, a powerful and semi-independent Islamic state was centred at Demak in the north of Central Java. Twenty five years later Majapahit collapsed entirely and the power of Demak had extended westward along the coast. This was the age of the Walis, charismatic and influential religious teachers, who spread the message of Islam across the island. Often carrying the title of Sunan, many of their names have become legendary and their tombs are regular places of pilgrimage for Indonesian Muslims. |
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The tomb of Siti Fatimah, viewed from the Kubur Panjang
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The tombstone of Fatimah binti Maimun, dated 475 H (A.D 1082)
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