Different from other Islamic Boarding Schools (pesantren) in Indonesian archipelago in general, pesantren in Padang Pariaman gives Tuanku title to all students (santri) who have finished their education there. It is unknown when the tradition begins, but now Padang Pariaman society have understood that Tuanku is an academic degree for pesantren salafiah in Padang Pariaman and other regions.
This tradition has still been preserved in Pariaman, because since the beginning in the region, especially around Syeh Burhanuddin Mosque guarded by very supernatural and brave heroes. Because of that, Wahabism Paderi troops had no courage to annoy the existence of pesantren and the sacred cemetery.<>
As pesantren academic degree, the title is not given to any kind of people, but to someone who has studied religious education and mastered old books (locally called as Kitab Kuning) written by the Middle East Ulema. In giving a title, the process should comply some requirements in line with with the local tradition. The Tuanku title is given to Syeikh ( prominent religious figure), Preachers or Islamic religious teachers, then de jure legitimatized or recognized from tradition through what locally called as mamak, even though both bless and legitimation from the mamak is not a must.
Thus, the Tuanku is someone who masters religion deeply and understands tradition. That ability is called as understanding both rukun tigo baleh surau and rukun tiga baleh kampung ( ketek banamo, gadang bagala ). Even according to a Minang traditional figure H Muhammad Letter Tuanku Bagindo, the Tuanku title was the mix or descendant of the philosophy of basandi syarak, the syarak basandi kitabullah tradition. With such kind of the capacity, the My Lord is ready for being as an ulema and traditional leader. Thus the pesantren tradition will save Minang culture.
Academic requirements that should be fulfilled by santri to gain the My Lord title are, first; they have studied for seven years and understood Islamic sciences like tafsir, hadith, fiqih, nahwu, sharaf, then they had the right to get Tuanku title. Second, they have ever been gurutuo (teacher). As a tradition in pesantren, santri have got class IV, V, I, II, and III. This is evidence that they have really mastered religious sciences and been able to teach the sciences. Besides, they should have spirit of devotion to both pesantren and society.
Tuanku title is a form of respecting santri, but it does not mean that he should stop studying. Though he has got the title, if he still want to study certain sciences in certain pesantren, there is no obstacle for him to study and teach in pesantren.
The Tradition procession in giving the My Lord title are, first; slaughtering a goat. Second, giving juadah ( kind of food which made especially in wedding feast in Padang Pariaman). Third, giving alms to teachers ( pesantren leaders ), it is now amounted to at least Rp.100.000. The alms is one of symbols to respect teachers. Besides, there are some pesantren leaders asking their santri to contribute a score of sarong. Those sarongs are given to the pesantren leaders to be then given to ulema or special guests.
The gift of Tuanku title is voluntary, there are some who have adequate requirements but they do not want it. It is not a problem. The pesantren leaders only give Tuanku title. Then the community gives an additional Tuanku title behind his name as ninik mamak gift of the santri alone. Usually when the title giving process is conducted, the ninik mamak of the santri comes and holds talks to decide what title will be given.
The Tuanku additional name can be taken from father’s titles, or skin color like Tuanku Bagindo, if his father’s title is Bagindo; Tuanku Sidi, if his father’s title is Sidi, and others. While the title taken from skin color is Tuanku Kuniang who has yellow skin for instance.
Student who has got the Tuanku title may not has Datuak (Wedding leader) from his community. Because the My Lord function is wider than Wedding leader which is only limited for santri circles. While the My Lord function is the ulema function to be a guide for community. His function and influence exceed community limits. If only there is someone who has got the My lord title but he is to be forced to become a Wedding leader, usually his Wedding leader title is rarely used than Tuanku title.
There are five obligations and prohibitions for santri who have got the My Lord title to notice; first, manjaweh payment ( asking payment ), as a manual laborer for instance as a porter. Second, drinking in kite cottages, it is aimed at keeping the honor of the Tuanku title. Third, they should keep their body from other people sight, especially when they go out from their home or visit other people. Fourth, wherever they go they should wear kopiah (headdress worn by Moslem man). Fifth, they may not sit in immoral places.
Tuanku title gift tradition has developed as fast as salaf pesantren growing there which teach classic holy books such as salaf pesantren in Java. Even now, tarekat rapidly growing there have integrated with the tarekat An-Nahdliyah, so Ulakan pesantren have become such NU development base in West Sumatra. (mdz )
This tradition has still been preserved in Pariaman, because since the beginning in the region, especially around Syeh Burhanuddin Mosque guarded by very supernatural and brave heroes. Because of that, Wahabism Paderi troops had no courage to annoy the existence of pesantren and the sacred cemetery.<>
As pesantren academic degree, the title is not given to any kind of people, but to someone who has studied religious education and mastered old books (locally called as Kitab Kuning) written by the Middle East Ulema. In giving a title, the process should comply some requirements in line with with the local tradition. The Tuanku title is given to Syeikh ( prominent religious figure), Preachers or Islamic religious teachers, then de jure legitimatized or recognized from tradition through what locally called as mamak, even though both bless and legitimation from the mamak is not a must.
Thus, the Tuanku is someone who masters religion deeply and understands tradition. That ability is called as understanding both rukun tigo baleh surau and rukun tiga baleh kampung ( ketek banamo, gadang bagala ). Even according to a Minang traditional figure H Muhammad Letter Tuanku Bagindo, the Tuanku title was the mix or descendant of the philosophy of basandi syarak, the syarak basandi kitabullah tradition. With such kind of the capacity, the My Lord is ready for being as an ulema and traditional leader. Thus the pesantren tradition will save Minang culture.
Academic requirements that should be fulfilled by santri to gain the My Lord title are, first; they have studied for seven years and understood Islamic sciences like tafsir, hadith, fiqih, nahwu, sharaf, then they had the right to get Tuanku title. Second, they have ever been gurutuo (teacher). As a tradition in pesantren, santri have got class IV, V, I, II, and III. This is evidence that they have really mastered religious sciences and been able to teach the sciences. Besides, they should have spirit of devotion to both pesantren and society.
Tuanku title is a form of respecting santri, but it does not mean that he should stop studying. Though he has got the title, if he still want to study certain sciences in certain pesantren, there is no obstacle for him to study and teach in pesantren.
The Tradition procession in giving the My Lord title are, first; slaughtering a goat. Second, giving juadah ( kind of food which made especially in wedding feast in Padang Pariaman). Third, giving alms to teachers ( pesantren leaders ), it is now amounted to at least Rp.100.000. The alms is one of symbols to respect teachers. Besides, there are some pesantren leaders asking their santri to contribute a score of sarong. Those sarongs are given to the pesantren leaders to be then given to ulema or special guests.
The gift of Tuanku title is voluntary, there are some who have adequate requirements but they do not want it. It is not a problem. The pesantren leaders only give Tuanku title. Then the community gives an additional Tuanku title behind his name as ninik mamak gift of the santri alone. Usually when the title giving process is conducted, the ninik mamak of the santri comes and holds talks to decide what title will be given.
The Tuanku additional name can be taken from father’s titles, or skin color like Tuanku Bagindo, if his father’s title is Bagindo; Tuanku Sidi, if his father’s title is Sidi, and others. While the title taken from skin color is Tuanku Kuniang who has yellow skin for instance.
Student who has got the Tuanku title may not has Datuak (Wedding leader) from his community. Because the My Lord function is wider than Wedding leader which is only limited for santri circles. While the My Lord function is the ulema function to be a guide for community. His function and influence exceed community limits. If only there is someone who has got the My lord title but he is to be forced to become a Wedding leader, usually his Wedding leader title is rarely used than Tuanku title.
There are five obligations and prohibitions for santri who have got the My Lord title to notice; first, manjaweh payment ( asking payment ), as a manual laborer for instance as a porter. Second, drinking in kite cottages, it is aimed at keeping the honor of the Tuanku title. Third, they should keep their body from other people sight, especially when they go out from their home or visit other people. Fourth, wherever they go they should wear kopiah (headdress worn by Moslem man). Fifth, they may not sit in immoral places.
Tuanku title gift tradition has developed as fast as salaf pesantren growing there which teach classic holy books such as salaf pesantren in Java. Even now, tarekat rapidly growing there have integrated with the tarekat An-Nahdliyah, so Ulakan pesantren have become such NU development base in West Sumatra. (mdz )
