Rector's Remarks

Unswagati Cirebon

I warmly greet the compilation of the writing a background of "Macan Ali" Unswagati Cirebon,
because in this way the Unswagati Academic Community can know its intent and purpose so that
the Calligraphy "Macan Ali" was erected in front of the Unswagati Cirebon Campus.
We realize that historical, philosophical knowledge/records; and Unswagati's background remains
limited, so this writing will be very helpful in laying the foundations for Unswagati's development
as a flagship university in the northern coast of West Java in particular and Indonesia in general.
I encourage these writings to continue to be developed so that later they can become complete
writings about Unswagati and all its aspects.
Hopefully, this writing can fulfill the expectations of those who want to know about "Macan Ali"
Unswagati Cirebon.

Cirebon, September 2006

Rector of Unswagati Cirebon

H. Djakarla Machmud, SE., SH., Msi.

Foreword
Assalamualaikum Wr. Wb.

Thanks to the grace of Allah SWT, alhamdulillah, the author succeeded in compiling this book
from scattered and useless materials.
The author has served at Unswagati for a long time, starting in 1964, since the author served at the
Cirebon City Government and the Cirebon Mayor as Daily Chair of Universitas Swadaya Gunung
Jati Cirebon. Therefore, the author knows deeply about Unswagati.
Thus, what the author hears, sees, knows and what the author thinks about Unswagati with "Macan
Ali" will be conveyed in this booklet.
Meanwhile, what is often written about Unswagati is about physical development; educational
development as well as academic and graduate development; also vision and mission. It is still rare
for people to write about its philosophical background, nature, and what it means.
Hopefully, this book will have meaning for those who will write about Unswagati's "Identity" or
write about "Unswagati's past, present and future."
The author believes that this book still has many shortcomings and needs to be improved both in
terms of material and rules of language.
The author thanks DR. A. Rozak, Drs. M. Pd, who has been pleased to correct, fix, and provide
advice, especially regarding the rules of language
In addition, the author would like to thank colleagues and friends who have provided input and
encouraged the author to compile this booklet.
Hopefully this book will add insight and experience to readers about Unswagati and "Macan Ali".
Therefore, the authors expect constructive suggestions and criticism to complete this book.
“Amien”

Cirebon, June 2006

The author
H. Sudarminto
 MACAN ALI

I. Introduction
If you enter Campus 1 Unswagati on Jalan Pemuda No. 32 Cirebon, in the front yard of the main
campus, there is a kind of black-green monument (cement building) with golden yellow Arabic
calligraphy depicting a tiger. The calligraphy depicting the tiger is called by the people of Cirebon
as "Macan Ali".
What is the background and essence of Macan Ali? And what is the relationship between "Macan
Ali" and Unswagati?
In the mid-1980s Unswagati occupied the SMA Swadaya Gunung Jati building (former SMA
Garuda) which was later nationalized to become SMA Negeri II Cirebon. Unswagati started to
build its own building at Jalan Pemuda No. 32 Cirebon.
In 1989 the faculties began to move from SMA 2 (Jl. Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo) to the building
on Jalan Pemuda, starting with the Faculty of Law followed by the Faculty of Economics, FKIP,
and followed by the establishment of new faculties.
Thenceforth, in front of the main building (in the middle), a kind of monument was built with
calligraphy inscriptions depicting a tiger, namely "Macan Ali".
The predecessors (founding fathers) of Unswagati long ago had dreams (intentions) that higher
education which was built was not only to educate the nation and to assist the government in
development, it also prioritized faith and piety, and then science and technology.
For this reason, we attempt to find input and information or books related to this Calligraphy.
The books or other sources we use are as follows:
1. Book: Babad Tanah Sunda / Babad Cirebon compiled by P.S Sulendraningrat
2. Writing and Interview with Mr. T. D. Sudjana (Former Section of Culture - Office of Education
and Culture of Cirebon City).
3. Interviews and information from Cirebon elders as well as from Ustadz Maman Sugiarto
4. Information and explanations from colleagues.

Those who participated in the construction process of the Unswagati Campus on Jl. Pemuda are
as follows:
1. The deceased Mr. H. Saleh Sachyanal
2. The deceased Mr. Drs. H. Ahmad Bazzi
3. The deceased Mr. H. Sudjatmo Prawiro , SH
4. The deceased Mr. Drs. Sugiarto N.
5. The deceased Mr. Drs. A. Rahman
We haven't found notes and knowledge about the selection and construction of the calligraphy
"Macan Ali" in front of the Unswagati campus.
Therefore, with the aforementioned sources and with the search and analysis, we attempt to
compile writing that might be able to answer the intention of the founding fathers of Unswagati to
build "Macan Ali" in front of the Unswagati campus building.

II.1 The Meaning and Placement of “Macan Ali”

In the front yard of the Unswagati building on Jalan Pemuda, a stone relief/cement in the shape of
a "Tiger" is built. The relief/stone cement in the shape of a tiger in Cirebon is called "Macan Ali".
The stone relief/cement of Macan Ali is Arabic calligraphy in the form of the words Toyyibah
(two sentences of Creed), i.e.:
“La ilahaillallah Muhammad Da Rosulullah”.
The words "La ilahaillallah" are Arabic letters depicted on the tiger's body and tail.
Whilst the words "Muhammad Rasulullah" are calligraphy written on Macan Ali's neck.
Macan Ali built/made in front of the Unswagati campus has the meaning that:
"Faith and Piety: Honesty and Morals are put at the forefront of Science and Technology".

11.2 The essence of “Macan Ali”

a. At the head is the word Allah

b. On the neck inscribed the words "Muhammad Da Rasulullah"
The words of the two Sentences of Creed are:

‫للا‬
‫ال اله اال للا وأشهد ان محمد رسول ه‬
‫أشهد أن ه‬
Meaning: “I testify that there is no god but Allah. And I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger
of Allah."
Each of the two Sentences of the Creed/Syahadatain are:
1. Syahadat Tauhid: It means witnessing the Oneness of Allah SWT.
2. Syahadat Rosul: It means witnessing and acknowledging the Apostleship of the Prophet
Muhammad SAW.

This image is a form of "Calligraphy" which is inscribed "the two sentences of creed".
Syahadatain/Syahadaten (in Cirebonese) are two words of confession that are spoken verbally
(statements) and are justified by the heart. In other words, it is a form of statement based on belief
to make oneself a Muslim.
As we knowř that Cirebon is known as the "City of Wali", whose culture, history, and sociology
is a "religious" society that is thick with Islamic cultural values. From a historical background also,
Cirebon is one of the centers of Islamic symbols in the land of Java.

11.3 “Ali” the Inspirator of Uluhiyah

The word Ali in Macan Ali also has the meaning as narrated in: Ali the Inspirator of Uluhiyah and
materials presented by Mr. H. Drs. Prawoto Sayuti, Msi., which originates from the writings of
Wawan Susetya which was written in the Republika newspaper.
The tale is as follows 1)
Sayyidina Ali bin Abi Talib has a personality full of uluhiyah or divine inspiration. Ali did not
need a process of experience or collision or weighing with and over any objects and events in his
life like his seniors, i.e. Abu Bakr, Umar, and Usman. He doesn't need to delve into the science of
leaves and rain to discover the greatness of Allah. When he looked at the leaves, what he found
was God.
Rasulullah gave a metaphor in his words, "I am like the square of knowledge, while Ali bin Abi
Talib is the door (gate)." The Prophet's statement aroused the jealousy of the Khawarij towards
Ali. They then held a deliberation assembly which was attended by 10 people from among the
figures. They agreed to test Ali: each asked the same question, but Ali had to answer it differently.
Then, they met Ali bin Abi Talib, each asking the question, "O Ali, which is more special between
knowledge and wealth?
Ali bin Abi Talib agilely answered their questions one by one, each answer accompanied by a
different argument:
• First, knowledge is more special than wealth: because knowledge is the inheritance of the
prophets, while wealth is the inheritance of the Qorun, Haman, and Pharaoh/Fir'aun.
• Second, knowledge is more special than wealth because knowledge always takes care of
you while you have to take care of your possessions.
• Third, knowledge is more special than wealth. Because knowledgeable people have many
friends while rich people have many enemies.
• Fourth, knowledge is more special than wealth. Because if knowledge is donated (taught)
it increases, while if wealth is spent it decreases.
 • Fifth, knowledge is more special than wealth because knowledgeable people are called
noble, while wealthy people are called despised.
• Sixth, knowledge is more special than wealth because knowledge does not need to be
protected, while wealth requires protection.
• Seventh, knowledge is more special than wealth because knowledgeable people can give
intercession on the Day of Judgment, while wealthy people will be given a heavy account
on the Day of Judgment.
• Eighth, knowledge is more special than wealth, because if knowledge is left alone it will
not be damaged, while wealth if left unchecked will surely decrease (even be eaten).
• Ninth, knowledge is more special than wealth, because knowledge gives light to the heart,
while wealth can cause damage to the heart (such as causing arrogance, showing off, and
denial).
• Tenth, knowledge is more special than wealth because people with knowledge are gentler
and always devoted to Allah, while people with wealth often have arrogance and deny
Allah.
The ten Khawarij figures who asked questions were then challenged by Ali bin Abi Talib, "If the
Khawarij one by one asked the question "which is more special between knowledge and wealth",
of course, I would give a different argument while life was still in the body." Finally, the Khawarij
acknowledged Ali's wisdom and also acknowledged the truth of the Prophet's words. They were
also obedient to Ali.
Such was the greatness of Ali, the nephew and cadre of the Prophet Muhammad, Abu Bakr, Umar,
and Usman. We all try to reach the "City" and enter through the "door" in our own way to obtain
the possibility of getting the glory of liqa-u Rabb: to experience the great encounter with Allah.
We go through the door while Ali is the door itself.
Some of us are predestined by Allah early on in life to get a straight road to enter God's "city of
knowledge". There are even those who obtain grace by being in it without difficulty. However, not
a few of us are busy looking for a way out of the "city of God".

III. Historical Background of Macan Ali

All of these pictures are heraldic flags of the Indraprahasta kingdom, a small sub-kingdom of the
Tarumanegara kingdom, now in the Sarwodagi area of the Beber territory, only ruins remain.
The heraldic flag is called Singabawang (Singobarong).
Then in the 14th century came a Kasmaya Resi/Ki Ageng Kasmaya that is now located at two
Cimandung sites (Krandon and Talun areas, Cirebon Girang area).
Therefore, he is called Ki Ageng/Gedhe Cirebon Girang. This receipt is the son of King Bumi Sora
Galuh Pakuan (Ciamis area). There he founded a small kingdom called Cirebon Girang which was
passed by a river (a tributary of the Cipager river) whose tower was called the Suba river. In that
area, the Ganges site was also built for the holy bathing ceremony (Matirta).
The towering mountain is called Indrakila (now called Mount Ciremai). The royal flag is called
Singobarong according to the Tiger flag of Siliwangi.
At the time Cirebon was founded by Prince Cakrabuana (1445 AD), this heraldic flag was also
used by Singobarong/Macan Siliwangi.
Thereafter, during the reign of Sunan Gunung Jati, the flag was changed/filled with Arabic
calligraphy, i.e. the words Toyyibah (two Sentences of the Creed) as the Cirebon heraldic at the
Pakung Wati Palace, called the Macan Ali flag.
At the establishment (construction) of the Universitas Swadaya Gunung Jati campus by the first
founder (on Jalan Pemuda) a Macan Ali flag was also erected in the yard of the Unswagati building
which was made in the form of a relief of Macan Ali Calligraphy painted in green and yellow (as
a symbol of the green color is "Rahim" and the color yellow is “Rahman”).
The Founding Fathers argued that because Unswagati was engaged in education, an ideal was built
as a guideline and as Unswagati's educational philosophy, which was chosen and adopted from the
teachings of Sunan Gunung Jati which read as follows:
“Den Hormat Maring Pusaka, Leluhur, Wong atuwa karo, Guru lan Ratu"
(Be respectful to the Ancestral Heritage, Both parents, Teachers, and always Loyal to the
Legitimate Government).
The teachings were then simplified in accordance with the times as follows:
1. Respect for parents
2. Respect for teacher
3. Respect for the King (Loyal to the legitimate government)
Based on this series of history about Macan Ali, Unswagati's predecessors built the stone
relief/cement in the form of the calligraphy "Macan Ali".
Besides containing the meaning of historical background, the moral philosophy and hopes for the
future are:
1. past glory;
2. struggles in the present;
3. attitude behavior;
4. honesty;
5. openness; and
6. should continue aflutter in the future.
"Macan Ali" which was built as a monument and is seen every day reminds us that apart from
being an archaeological symbol, it also has magical value (reject reinforcements) for Unswagati
in particular and the people of Cirebon in general.
V. The Essence of the Embodiment of Calligraphy “Macan Ali”

On the basis of the description above, in the current era of globalization, we should have guidance
so that with the influence of today's progress we are not going too far and have an identity.
Moreover, Unswagati is a crater of Candradimuka to educate and galvanize young people to
become future leaders. They must have principles, guidance, and identity to become leaders in the
future without leaving their identity, i.e. Cirebon. They will become leaders who are religious,
dynamic, intelligent and have principles and identity.
Macan Ali used to be the flag of the Islamic kingdom of Cirebon which later became the symbol
of the kingdom, so it was intended that Unswagati would also be the pride of Cirebon and would
always make Cirebon proud. Thus, Unswagati is synonymous with Cirebon or if you say Cirebon,
what you remember is Uswagati.
Unswagati will prioritize Faith, Piety, Honesty, Moral Intelligence, and Identity, and these all
underlie the Science and Technology studied at Unswagati.
The knowledge that every student at Unswagati will learn is always based on the following
teachings of Sunan Gunung Jati:
1. Yen Kiyeng Mesti Pareng
(If diligent, the knowledge learned can be achieved/mastered)
2. Yen Bodo Kudu Weruh
(If unintelligent should have to know, it means have to learn)
3. Yen Pinter Aja Keblinger
(If smart, don't use the intelligence for things that are destructive, for things that are negative)
Wewarah/teachings above is a very interesting philosophy of morality that it can be used as a filter
or identity for students studying at Unswagati Cirebon.

V. The History of the Development of the Singabarong Flag to become Macan Ali Flag

From some of the evidence and explanations from Mr. T. D. Sudjana that we can gather, it can be
formulated as follows:
During the development of the government of the Tarumanegara kingdom in the reign of King
Purnawarman (394-434 AD), one of his subordinate kingdoms to the east was the Indraprahastha
kingdom (Negara krethabhumi Sargan l, P. Wangsakerta 1689 AD).
The Indraprastha kingdom was used as a royal bathing place (tirtamedha) by the Arumanegara
kingdom because Purnawarman's ancestors came from southern India and had the custom of
carrying out the Tirtamedha Ceremony on the Ganges river (in Benares until now).
The results of the interim research (Ngirab Ceremony) (TD. Sudjana, 1968) indicated that the
location of the Indraprahastha kingdom was in the area of Sarwodadi village, Sumber district.
Meanwhile, the river that was used for the sacred bathing ceremony of the Tarumanegara kingdom
was the Suba river, which the Tarumanegara kingdom called Loa Gangga or Gangganadi (Negara
Kratabhumi Sargan I, P. Wangsa Kerta 1689).
Now the river flows into the city of Cirebon and empties into the village of Kesunean. Whilst the
original estuary was the former Suba estuary, located around the Derajat area in Dukuh Semar
village. Until now, the people of Cirebon usually hold the "Ngirab" ceremony on the last
Wednesday of the month of Sapar.
The royal flag (dwajarajya) Indraprahastha is called “SingaBarwang” (Singabarong) in the form
of a lion/tiger being "ready to pounce" (anjantra) in yellow on a green background.
Indraprahastha's kingdom was destroyed by an attack by Sanjaya's troops during the time when
West Java was ruled by Sanjaya for about 8 years because Indraprahastha belonged to a group that
did not like Sanjaya's ancestors (Galuh: Mandiminyak). The Indraprastha kingdom sided with the
Sundanese kingdom of Sempakwaja because Tarusbawa was still a descendant of Indraprahastha
from the daughter of Dewi Wishnu Murti.
After that, one of Maharaja Dewata Buwana's younger siblings (Galuh Pakuan), after the Bubat
bloody incident where the emperor Dewata Buwana and his daughter Dewi Citraresmi (Dyan
Pitaloka) died along with several high-ranking royal officials, due to the actions of Patih Gajah
Mada, the Sundanese kingdom centered in Galuh Pakwan was held by one of his younger siblings,
BumiSora, as a temporary royal official, because the Crown Prince was only 9 years old.
At this time, the Singabarong flag was declared the royal flag. Then Ki Ageng Kasmaya, the
Bumisora's older brother, who was a Resi Guru, moved to build the Caruban Larang Kingdom in
an effort to rehabilitate Indraprahastha's kingdom which had long been destroyed and abandoned.
The King of Caruban Girang (Cirebon Girang) preserved the Singabarong flag as the royal flag.
The location of the Caruban Girang kingdom is still known to this day and the former ruins are
still visible, although the arkenas have not conducted further research. The Suba River was revived
and Ki Ageng Kasmaya was indeed a Resi Guru who was more concerned with religious activities
than his government.
Then, when Prince Cakrabuana's great-grandson Ki Ageng Kasmaya built Padukuhan Caruban
Larang in the "kebon pesisir" area, in the Lemah Wungkuk area and its surroundings (as the
forerunner of the kingdom in the West Java region), the Singabarong flag underwent a change.
Caruban Larang hamlet was officially founded by Prince Cakrabuwana in 1445 AD. Five years
later, the hamlet in a relatively short time became an Islamic-style kingdom, namely the Kingdom
of Carbon (Cirebon) with its palace called "Pakungwati".
In 1479 AD, Sunan Gunung Jati was entrusted with the task of spreading Islamic religion
throughout the West Java region, so the Pakungwati kingdom changed its function, not as a
kingdom, but as a Cirebon kesunanan area for West Java.
It was at this time (1479 AD), the Cirebonese Kasunanan flag was renamed from the dwajaradya
Singabarong to the dwajaradya “Macan Ali”. The shape of the image remains a lion/tiger in a
“ready to pounce” pose (as in dwajaradya singobarong) but has been filled or decorated (scratched)
with Arabic calligraphy containing the sentence Thoyyibah: La ilahallalah Muhammad Da
Rosulullah' so that the fierce/scary impression disappears completely.
According to PS. Sulendraningrat, an expert on Tarekat, explained that Morphologically, Macan
Ali means Upper/High tiger. Meanwhile, according to the meaning of the content, it is a tiger that
already has high dignity and culture besides the tiger traditionally as a symbol of fierce, brave, and
firmness. It was further emphasized that Macan Ali is a symbol of the generational switch from
the shift in the Resi (Persanghyangan) value system to Mu'min (Tawhid). This means the symbol
of a human being who has reached the level of Kamil human being, a perfect human being who
has reached Mardhotillah (in the way of God).
During the period of the sultanate in Cirebon (1677 AD), after the establishment of the Kesepuhan
and Kanoman palaces, the Macan Ali flag was still recognized as the flag of the Kingdom, but it
changed its function, not as a dwajaradya, but as a symbol of majesty. This exalting attitude is
natural because they are his descendants. Sunan Gunung Jati who has been considered the
Waliyyulloh khutubid of the era for the Masyrik region has contributed a lot to this archipelago in
building the Muslim religion. Then, Macan Ali was used only as an heirloom which only appeared
at ceremonies/grand ceremonies and Resi at the palace, for example, the sultan's inauguration
ceremony, construction inauguration, and grand meetings at his sultanate. Then it developed again
as an honorary souvenir of the identity of the Cirebon sultanate. For example, a souvenir from the
Cirebon sultanate in the form of hand-drawn batik with the image of Macan Ali as a token of honor
for the Surakarta palace. We can still enjoy batik now, moreover, when we go to Jakarta we can
see it in the batik museum.
Furthermore, after approaching the 20th century, Macan Ali was just a wall decoration that seemed
to make no sound, because the public no longer recognized it, because it was not published by the
sultanate. Maybe this little note can inspire us and the general public, so that “Macan Ali” can at
least be retold by the next generation of the nation.
VI. Closing
From the description of the explanation and historical background about "Macan Ali" that we put
forward, the creation/construction of "Macan Ali" in front of the Unswagati campus by
Unswagati's predecessor was indeed intentional with the hope that Unswagati's successors would
develop and continue the ideas or aspirations of their predecessors, specifically prioritizes faith,
piety, honesty, and morals, then followed by studying science and technology.
Unswagati must have an identity, as a university that emits the light of faith and technology to
region III Cirebon in particular and West Java in general.
As a university, which at the time of its establishment was supported (backed up) by the Resident
and all Regional Heads throughout Region III Cirebon as well as elements of the police, military,
mass organizations, teachers, entrepreneurs, traders, factory owners, and others, all united to
establish Unswagati, the next generation of Unswagati should have the obligation to maintain and
develop it like the "Macan Ali" flag which continues to fly majestically at all times.
The word Ali in "Macan Ali" as narrated in "Ali" the Inspirator of Uluhiyah means "Gate of
knowledge".
We all as the next generation of Unswagati should be able to answer the challenges:
"What has been done and what Unswagati has presented for the development of Cirebon and West
Java in particular and Indonesia in general."
Those are the things that we can convey and we are very grateful if this imperfect book/record can
be completed for perfection for the next generation.
Amien

References

1. P.S.Sulendraningrat
Babat Tanah Sunda [The Chronicle of the Land of Sunda]
Babat Cirebon [The Chronicle of Cirebon]
2. T.O.Sudjana (notes)
Sejarah Perkembangan Singabarong [The History of the Development of Singabarong]

3. Interviews with people who understand “Macan Ali”

among others: Ustadz Maman Sugiarto
H.Prawoto Sayuti Drs. Msi
4. Wawan Susetya
Surat kabar Republika tanggal 16-10-2003 atau 20 sya'ban 1424 H halaman1 [Republika
newspaper, 16-10-2003 or 20 Sha'ban 1424 H page 1]