Tomb of Syeh Yusuf

SYEH Yusuf was a multi-race combatant, multi country, and persevere Islamic religious leader. The grave has an old character. Uniquely, Syeh Yusuf's tomb in Gowa is one of the five versions graves dispersed in three countries.


Location of Object
Syeh Yusuf's tomb located in the Lakiung, the border of Makassar City and Gowa Regency, about 12 kilometers from the centre city of Makassar (Karebosi Field). The street in front of the tomb complex was named Syeh Yusuf.

Overview
Syeh Yusuf's tomb complex is almost always busy with people who visited the grave. Not only the residents of Gowa, people from other regions are often come here.

Wide of this graves complex is about 2500 square meters. Syeh Yusuf 's tomb have a grave home semi-cone shaped dome, typical of 17th century. The original is white. Because of its age, the color of dome is a bit dull.

The room inside the dome is big enough. At the entrance door there is a description of the important stages of the journey of scholar’s life. Inside the domed house there are eight graves with two lines. Room in the dome is balmy. The perfumery came from pilgrims that still left behind.

The Syeh Yusuf’s grave is the big one. In the right side was a Sitti Daeng Nisanga’s grave (Syeh’s Wife, who was also Sultan Hasanuddin’s aunt), and on the left is the tomb of Sultan Abdul Jalil (19th Gowa King. He is also the son of Sultan Hasanuddin). There are also syeh pupil’s grave, his name was Syeh Abdul Dhahir.

Syeh Yusuf's tomb in Gowa is one of the five versions grave. The other graves of syeh are in Cape Town (South Africa), Sri Lanka, Banten (western Java), and Madura (Eastern Java). "The fact, Syeh Yusuf’s grave ia in Lakiung," said historian Anhar Gonggong.

Access
Go to the location of the graves is very easy. Tourist can use public transport, taxis, or hotel transportation facilities. Public transports depart from underground terminal in Karebosi Field majors to Sungguminasa. Get off at the border city of Makassar, than continue with padicab or tricycle. You can also walk for 400 meters only.

SHORT HISTORY OF SYEH YUSUF

Syeh Yusuf was born in Tallo (Makassar) on July 13, 1626 (Syawal 8, 1036 on Arabic calendar). His nickname was Muhammad Yusuf. His mother was Aminah, daughter of Gallarang, Moncongloe, Gowa Kingdom. While who his father, historians still controverting until now. 

When he born, Islam has become the official religion in Sultanate of Gowa. Aminah came from a rabble Family. Little Yusuf’s live picked up when his mother married with Sultan Alauddin, 14th King of Gowa. He was getting religious education until adult and become a persistent proponent of Islam. 

Yusuf was a smart teenager. Therefore, he became a teacher and had a lot of students. He was also an anti colonialism idealist. At that time, VOC (Verenidge Oost-Indische Compagnie) or the Dutch company in east India are monopolize the trading strips in the archipelago, including in Gowa. His voice was shrill against the Dutch. 

When he was 18 years old he gone to pilgrimage. From Mecca, he was laying over in Banten (Western Java). He repeated his visit in 1672 and decided to fight with Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, King of Banten, after his country shattered because of war against the VOC.

Syeh Yusuf still fighting even when Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa had been disabled. On December 14, 1683 he was then arrested in Sukapura, Tasikmalaya, West Java, and exiled to Batavia. September 1684, he was exiled again to Sri Lanka. Syeh Yusuf not cured, he still fighting against the Dutch in Sri Lanka. July 1993, with 49 followers he was removed along to South Africa. 

Although far away from the land of birth, his activities still continue. He continued to teach Islam religion there. During six years in South Africa, he spent the rest of his life to teach about justice and peace. Together local people fight against colonialism.

Syeh Yusuf died on May 23, 1699 whwn he was 73 years old. Sultan Gowa and Sultan of Banten scrambled asked the Dutch to bury his body. On April 5, 1704, the chest bringing Syeh Yusuf’s bones arrived in Makassar and immediately buried in Lakiung, Gowa. But is it true Syeh Yusus who lie? Syeh Yusuf’s tombs also contained in Banten, Madura, Sri Lanka, and Cape Town. God Omniscient.

Source:enjoy-makassar.blogspot.com