Sunan is the shorter version of "
Susuhunan
Susuhunan, or in short version Sunan, is a title used by the monarchs of Mataram and then by the hereditary rulers of Surakarta, Indonesia.
Additionally in Bali and Surakarta, so-called " Kings of kings" reigned with this title, while their k ...
", both used as an
honorific
An honorific is a title that conveys esteem, courtesy, or respect for position or rank when used in addressing or referring to a person. Sometimes, the term "honorific" is used in a more specific sense to refer to an Honorary title (academic), h ...
on the island of
Java
Java is one of the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south and the Java Sea (a part of Pacific Ocean) to the north. With a population of 156.9 million people (including Madura) in mid 2024, proje ...
,
Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...
.
According to
Hamka
Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah, better known by his pen name Hamka (17 February 1908 – 24 July 1981) was an Indonesian ʿālim, philosopher, writer, novelist, lecturer, politician and journalist.
First affiliated with the Masyumi Party, until ...
in his book ''Dari Perbendaharaan Lama,'' the word is derived from a
Javanese word for position (''susunan'') of hands in reverential salutation, done with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards, and bowing. This arrangement which has some similarities with Indian "
namaste
''Namaste'' (, Devanagari: नमस्ते), sometimes called ''namaskār'' and ''namaskāram'', is a customary Hindu manner of respectfully greeting and honouring a person or group, used at any time of day. It is used worldwide among the ...
" is called "''sembah''", which is used to honor and praise. From this "Susuhunan" can mean someone to give the "susunan"/"sembah" to a revered person. Another word for "''Susuhunan''" is "''Sesembahan''".
[HAMKA, Prof. Dr., ''Dari Perbendaharaan Lama'', Page 244, Cet. II, Pustaka Panjimas, Jakarta, 1982]
This title is given by the
Javanese and
Sundanese to rulers, clerics, and even deities. A common usage is for the 'Sunans', or the Nine Saints (
Wali Songo
''Wali Songo'' (), also transcribed as ''Wali Sanga'', are revered saints of Islam in Indonesia, especially on the island of Java, because of their historic role in the spread of Islam in Indonesia. The word ''wali'' is Arabic for "trusted on ...
), who were the spreaders of Islam in Java. Also, Sunan Ambu (Queen Mother/Goddess Mother) is a female deity revered by the Sundanese.
Other Uses
Other missionaries, besides the Wali Songo, have also received the title of Sunan, especially those who were involved in the early spread of Islam in Java. These include:
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Sunan Bangkalan
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Sunan Bungkul
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Sunan Dalem
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Sunan Geseng
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Sunan Ngadilangu
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Sunan Ngerang
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Sunan Ngudung
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Sunan Prawata
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Sunan Sendang Duwur
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Sunan Tembayat
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Sunan Wilis
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Sunan Lawu
See also
*''
Wali Sanga
''Wali Songo'' (), also transcribed as ''Wali Sanga'', are revered saints of Islam in Indonesia, especially on the island of Java, because of their historic role in the spread of Islam in Indonesia. The word ''wali'' is Arabic for "trusted one ...
''
References
{{reflist
Honorifics
Noble titles of Indonesia