Exploring Siguntang Ulu Melayu: A Cultural Journey with Modnus Unsri Students
Citizen News 
Under the guidance of Dr. Agustina Bidarti, M.Si., and LO Muhammad Soleman, 25 Modul Nusantara (Modnud) students from Universitas Sriwijaya delved into a fascinating discussion about Siguntang as Ulu Melayu. This enlightening activity unfolded during their visit to Bukit Siguntang on Sunday (10/3).
Bukit Siguntang, a historical site in Palembang, not only houses ancient tombs but also boasts various findings of 7th-century Buddha statues from the era of Sriwijaya.
Dr. Agustina Bidarti, M.Si., expressed her intention to introduce Siguntang to students from different universities across the archipelago. She emphasized that the Sriwijaya Empire was a significant Hindu-Buddhist kingdom in the Nusantara region. During the exploration of Siguntang, the students encountered a monumental Buddha statue, signifying the site"s sacredness to Buddhist followers during the Sriwijaya era.
Positioned as the highest plateau in Palembang, Siguntang is likened to Mount Meru in Buddhist teachings, serving as the main center for learning Buddha"s teachings in Sriwijaya. Dr. Agustina speculated the existence of a Buddha monastery, akin to the depiction in the writings of the traveler I-tsing. The use of Malay Old language in various Sriwijaya inscriptions suggests the study of Buddha alongside Sanskrit for Tripitaka.
Delving deeper into the discussion, Dr. Agustina stressed the need to describe the unifying diversity of Melayu culture from Bukit Siguntang. She highlighted the continuity from Hindu-Buddhist influence during the Sriwijaya era to the Islamic period of the early Palembang Darussalam Sultanate.
Referencing Sulalatus-Salatin or the Malay Annals written by Tun Sri Lanang around 1400-1511, she explained the growth of Malay kingdoms in Malaya. The narrative linked almost all Malay powers to the myth of the presence of semi-divine beings descending on Bukit Siguntang Palembang. Demang Lebar Daun, or Sang Sapurba, considered the embodiment of the unifying figure Iskandar Zulkarnaen, is believed to have originated from Siguntang, making it the Ulu Melayu.
Following the discussion, students explored ancient tombs like Segentar Alam, Puteri Kembang Dadar, and Panglima Bagus Kuning. One student from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Muhammad Azra Az Zahiri, expressed astonishment at discovering the tomb of Sigentar Alam, associated with Iskandar Zulkarnaen, the starting point of the Islamic sultanates in Nusantara.
Dr. Agustina highlighted Siguntang"s popularity among pilgrims from Malaysia and Singapore as a historical and sacred destination. The students admired the preservation efforts by the Tourism and Culture Office of South Sumatra, enhancing Bukit Siguntang"s image as Ulu Melayu since 2023.
The insightful journey concluded with a lively flash card game led by Dr. Agustina Bidarti, engaging students in testing their knowledge and refreshing their understanding of the cultural diversity at Bukit Siguntang.
Bukit Siguntang, a historical site in Palembang, not only houses ancient tombs but also boasts various findings of 7th-century Buddha statues from the era of Sriwijaya.
Dr. Agustina Bidarti, M.Si., expressed her intention to introduce Siguntang to students from different universities across the archipelago. She emphasized that the Sriwijaya Empire was a significant Hindu-Buddhist kingdom in the Nusantara region. During the exploration of Siguntang, the students encountered a monumental Buddha statue, signifying the site"s sacredness to Buddhist followers during the Sriwijaya era.
Positioned as the highest plateau in Palembang, Siguntang is likened to Mount Meru in Buddhist teachings, serving as the main center for learning Buddha"s teachings in Sriwijaya. Dr. Agustina speculated the existence of a Buddha monastery, akin to the depiction in the writings of the traveler I-tsing. The use of Malay Old language in various Sriwijaya inscriptions suggests the study of Buddha alongside Sanskrit for Tripitaka.
Delving deeper into the discussion, Dr. Agustina stressed the need to describe the unifying diversity of Melayu culture from Bukit Siguntang. She highlighted the continuity from Hindu-Buddhist influence during the Sriwijaya era to the Islamic period of the early Palembang Darussalam Sultanate.
Referencing Sulalatus-Salatin or the Malay Annals written by Tun Sri Lanang around 1400-1511, she explained the growth of Malay kingdoms in Malaya. The narrative linked almost all Malay powers to the myth of the presence of semi-divine beings descending on Bukit Siguntang Palembang. Demang Lebar Daun, or Sang Sapurba, considered the embodiment of the unifying figure Iskandar Zulkarnaen, is believed to have originated from Siguntang, making it the Ulu Melayu.
Following the discussion, students explored ancient tombs like Segentar Alam, Puteri Kembang Dadar, and Panglima Bagus Kuning. One student from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Muhammad Azra Az Zahiri, expressed astonishment at discovering the tomb of Sigentar Alam, associated with Iskandar Zulkarnaen, the starting point of the Islamic sultanates in Nusantara.
Dr. Agustina highlighted Siguntang"s popularity among pilgrims from Malaysia and Singapore as a historical and sacred destination. The students admired the preservation efforts by the Tourism and Culture Office of South Sumatra, enhancing Bukit Siguntang"s image as Ulu Melayu since 2023.
The insightful journey concluded with a lively flash card game led by Dr. Agustina Bidarti, engaging students in testing their knowledge and refreshing their understanding of the cultural diversity at Bukit Siguntang.
