The Foreign Architectural Influences on Melaka Style Traditional Mosques

Abstract

Sacred architecture is a clear reflection of each region's history, culture, and identity and is considered as an especial domain in architectural studies. Mosque as the symbol of Islamic art and architecture positions a place of importance between artists and scholars worldwide. Although numerous materials have been documented about various mosques’ regional typologies, the Southeast Asian mosque style has been surprisingly neglected. Since the advent of Islam in Southeast Asia during the 13th-15th centuries, numerous traditional mosques with distinctive architectural form and ornamentation, very different from what is known as a mosque in Middle East or Indian subcontinent, were erected in the region. Due to the unique geographical position of the area the powerful role of Melaka during the 15th -18th centuries, various ethnic groups from different cultures have been always presented in the Straits of Melaka. Melaka scenery has been formed as a result of one special attribute of local entities; being receptive to new notions and ideas, as long it does not interfere strongly rooted local beliefs. Melaka style traditional mosque architecture shows foreign influences from great civilizations in east and west while still introduce an authentic style of Southeast Asian mosque. This study tries to provide a discussion about Hindu-Buddhism and Chinese influences on Melaka traditional mosques by comparing the architectural appearance of the mentioned cultures and three selected traditional mosques in Melaka. Through interpretation of the gathered evidence, this study indicates that Hindu-Buddhist architectural characteristics profoundly influenced the Melaka style mosque in form, while the Chinese influence in appearance of certain architectural elements and ornamentation is discernible.