Randusari — The Village of Santri

Randusari — The Village of Santri

Randusari is one of the villages located in Nongkosawit, Gunungpati, Semarang. Randusari is administratively located in RW 2 which is divided into 6 RT. Randusari is one of the areas in Nongkosawit which is famous for its natural tourism, such as waterfalls, forests, species of long-tailed apes, and also the springs.

In addition to Randusari’s fame for its natural tourism destination, this village also has become a religious tourism destination. One of them is Masjid Nurul Huda. When someone visits or performs worship in the Mosque, it will probably feel mediocre. This is because Nurul Huda Mosque is basically the same as the Mosque in general. But what distinguishes and becomes religious tourism destinations is the history that is kept behind the building of the Mosque.

According to Kang Rofik’s narrative, one of the descendants of the public figure who is believed to be a mbahu rekso Village of Nongkosawit. Nurul Huda Mosque was built around the year of 1892. This Mosque is believed to be the oldest Mosque in Gunungpati sub-district. The Mosque was built by K.H. Muhammad Hadi Giri Kusumo who originated from Giri Kusumo region. This is evidenced by the placing of the Mosque’s first stone by K.H. Muhammad Hadi Giri Kusumo.

This Mosque was once a Mosque that has the concept of buildings such as Mosques in general during the time. But because the residents of Randusari initiative to restore and renovate the Nurul Huda Mosque in almost all parts of the Mosque, finally it looks like a Mosque in general. The original Saka has already gone.

However, there are some relics from the early development of Nurul Huda Mosque that can be seen until now namely Beduk Sidogori and Mustaqqa Masjid. Beduk Sidogori is one of Sheikh Hasan Munadi’s relics. Sheikh Hasan Munadi has the real name Bambang Kertonadi and is believed to be one of the wali who have stayed and spread the religion of Islam in Nongkosawit and surrounding villages. Sheikh Hasan Munadi is believed to be a wali who is said to have originated in Banyuwangi and is currently buried in Nyatnyono, Ungaran.

Mbah Hasan Munadi’s beduk are considered sacred because the material to make it is derived from the wood of Sidogori. Sidaguri or Sidogori is a type of medicinal plant of the family Malvaceae. This plant is a bush plant that grows wild and is widely encountered on the edges of sewers, rivers, and under large trees. Generally, large crops are only the same as grass and another shrub. However, the size of the tress can make the beduk. This is what causes the society to consider the beduk is one of the relics of Mbah Hasan Munadi.

This beduk was believed to be the forerunner of Nurul Huda Mosque and the forerunner of the name Randusari, started when Mbah Hasan Munadi build a Mosque in RW 1 (Nongkosawit Village). The Mosque was built together with the creation of the beduk. When the beduk finished the villagers try to sound the beduk but it has no sound. It was an odd experience for the villagers. However, when the villagers moved the beduk to the region which is now known as Randusari Village and was hung in a kapok tree, it turns out that the beduk give its sound. This is the reason why the name “Randu” (kapok tree) is taken as one of the village names located in the RW 2 of Nongkosawit Village.

Until now, the Sidogori beduk is still used and can be seen at the front of the Mosque. The material is also still genuine. The residents just change the membrane that are made from cow’s skin. Meanwhile, Mustaqa or dome of the Mosque is one of the relics of the early development of Masjid Nurul Huda. Nowadays, Mustaqa is kept by the residents in the two Mosques. According to residents’ narrative, when Mustaqa at the Mosque is still used, it can emit light in the night. But due to renovation and restoration of the Mosque, the Mustaqa finally replaced with the dome of the Mosque which is now the roof of the Mosque.

After the Mosque built, Islamic religion developed rapidly. It is characterized by the building of boarding schools by K.H. Mursyid or often called Mbah Mursyid. According to the people, Mbah Mursyid was young and the first hajj in the Nongkosawit. The Pesantren was continued by his son, Badar Hadi Siswoyo. Until now, there are still many descendants around the Mosque.

After the construction of the area of Islamic boarding schools, Nongkosawit become Islamic educational and students center. One of the best known is the PGA (Pendidikan Guru Agama = Religious Teacher Education) and naib or headman. Santri at that time not only come from Nongkosawit area only but also come from the area of Batang and surrounding areas.

At that time, the boarding school does not provide shelter for students, so students reside in the homes of the surrounding residents. In addition to the residence of the students also work and help the home owners who are farming, gardening, or take care the livestock. The term is known by the surrounding community as Nyantre.

Nevertheless, this boarding school only lasts for 80 years only because there are no more students who have come to the Pesantren.

The building that was used as a boarding house at that time was shaped like a home stage. It is located at the right next to the Mosque. Currently the building is no longer exists. A place that was once a boarding school is now built a building that is used as religious activities such as Koran Reading Education, assembly point, or other religious activities.

Until now the teachings of Islam still developed in Randusari particularly and Nongkosawit generally. This can be proved by many Mosques and Mushola that have been built. According to the monographic data of the Nongkosawit Village in January 2018, Nongkosawit Village has 6 Mosques and 22 Mushola.