184 | © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open-access article under the CC-BY-SA creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ JOURNAL OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE P-ISSN: 2086-2636 E-ISSN: 2356-4644 Journal Home Page: http://ejournal.uin-malang.ac.id/index.php/JIA THE RELATIONSHIP OF ISLAM AND LOCALITY IN THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE WAPAUWE ANCIENT MOSQUE IN MALUKU Wuri Handoko a* , Isman Pratama Nasution b , Wanny Raharjo Wahyudi b , Herry Yogaswara c , Muh Subair a* , Nurman Kholis a , Kadir Massoweang a , Alfan Firmanto a , Ali Akbar a a RC. for Treasures of Religion and Civilization, Jakarta, Indonesia b University of Indonesia, West Java, Indonesia c RO. for Archeology, Language, and Literature, Jakarta, Indonesia *Corresponding Author: wuri002@brin.go.id / muh.subair@brin.go.id ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Page: 184-198 Received: June 12 th , 2023 Accepted: September 09 th , 2023 Available Online: June 20 th , 2024 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18860/jia.v8i1.21729 The Wapauwe ancient mosque in Maluku is historically and culturally significant, symbolizing the enduring bond between religion and the local community. This qualitative archaeological study examines the mosque's architectural aspects to explore this connection. The mosque is considered a result of careful thought and reflects origin-related factors and human behavior through its architectural elements. The Wapauwe Mosque shares similarities with ancient mosques found throughout the archipelago. Its three-tiered roof typology, supported by four pillars and a distinctive peak, represents the three stages of Islamic development, showcasing the integration of Islamic principles with local culture. The two-tiered roof of the Wapauwe Kaitetu mosque signifies an ongoing dialogue between religious scholars and the indigenous people, leading to architectural adaptations. Furthermore, the mosque's design elements carry symbolic meanings. The peak symbolizes monotheism and male fertility, while the pineapple-shaped pegs embody the fusion of animal carvings and flora. The rectangular plan signifies the influence of customs and religion, and the mimbar type reinforces the growth and development of religious traditions. Architecturally, the Wapauwe mosque features 12 supporting pillars, corresponding to the 12 fundamental values of Islamic teachings— comprising the five pillars of Islam, six pillars of faith, and Ihsan. This alignment also mirrors the concept of deliberative custom, which includes 12 institutional structures. These structures coexist and interact with the religious hierarchy and its apparatus, demonstrating a balanced and inclusive relationship between religion and locality within the governance of Maluku. Ultimately, the typology of the Wapauwe mosque emphasizes the deep connection between Islam and local culture. It serves as a testament to the culturally inclusive religious character of the community. This cultural Islamic society respects differences and embraces diversity as an integral aspect of religious teachings. Keywords: Wapuwe Ancient Mosque; Islamic Tradition; Local Culture 1. INTRODUCTION During the development of Islam, the mosque was one of the monumental proofs that local community accepted Islam. The construction of a mosque in a kingdom marks the official acceptance of Islam as the kingdom’s religion [1]. The Wapauwe Mosque in Maluku is a rare and authentic example of an ancient mosque withstood architectural transformations. Its typological and morphological characteristics witness the multicultural influences of Islam and the local community, showcasing the region's dynamic evolution of architectural forms. The use of fragile building materials in ancient mosques has contributed to the unique tradition upheld by the Wapauwe Mosque, acting as a tangible bridge between the past and present. The preservation and study of this ancient mosque are of utmost importance in comprehending the diverse heritage of Islamic traditions and their