Sunan Kudus Construction as Religious Icon for the People of Kudus Regency

Abstract

Kudus Regency is an interesting area to see its dynamics. Kudus Regency is known as the largest clove cigarette producing city in Central Java and is also known as the city of santri. This city was the center of the development of Islam in the Middle Ages. In the past, Kudus City was named Tajug City because in that area there were many Tajugs. Tajug used to be a place of worship for Hindus in the area. Sunan Kudus approached the residents of the city of Tajug by making the structure of the Menara Kudus Mosque in the form of Tajug. Kudus Regency is an area that inherited the existence of Sunan Kudus. Efforts to revitalize past glories are a representation. Existence by building the collective memory of the people of Kudus Regency is very important. This research uses ethnographic method. This study shows that there are three important things related to the construction of Sunan Kudus as a religious icon for the people of Kudus Regency. First, Sunan Kudus is an influential Islamic preacher. Second, the construction of the collective memory of the people of Kudus Regency is related to the existence of Sunan Kudus. Third, the material culture of Sunan Kudus can still be witnessed today.