Visiting graves to welcome Ramadhan

Gorontalo, NU Online
Gorontalo residents are welcoming the Islamic fasting month of Ramadhan, which starts early next week, by visiting the graves of Islamic saints in the province that are believed to be sacred.<>

One of the most frequently visited graves is that of Tulutani (Sultan) Male, who was also known as Ta Ilayabe or the fanned man. The grave is located at the top of a hill in the Gorontalo city seaport area. Visitors must tread up 256 steps to reach the grave.

The grave keeper, Ismail Danial, 33, said Ta Ilayabe was a courtier who freed Gorontalo from the Ternate Kingdom.

"He flew from Gorontalo to Ternate flying on his sajadah [praying mat]," Ismail was quoted by The Jakarta post as saying. "One day, the Ternate King ignored him, igniting his anger."

Ta Ilayabe then sank his toes into the ground, causing water to sprout and threatened to sink Ternate if it continued to rule over Gorontalo. Locals believe the incident resulted in the Ternate King releasing Gorontalo from his rule.

Another popular grave is the grave of Ju Panggola or King Ilato, the King of Lightning. He was a propagator of Islam who was believed to have traveled from Gorontalo to Mecca at the speed of lightning.

The grave is located in Lekobalo village, Gorontalo city, at the stop of a hill overlooking Limboto Lake.

Many people visit the grave during Islamic holy days, including before and during Ramadhan. Visitors not only come from Gorontalo but from other Indonesian cities as well as Malaysia and Singapore. At the grave, visitors usually pray and dzikir (chant).

Gorontalo customary leaders used to hold Tonggeyamo processions to determine and announce the start of Ramadhan. Dadi Kasim Usman, one of the elders, said the tradition started in 1525 when Islam spread to Gorontalo.

But now it was merely a ceremonial event as the duty was now performed by the Religious Affairs Ministry, he said.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq