Batik Indonesia 101
Let's get to know Batik, Indonesia's textile whose beauty has been recognized worldwide!
Three Javanese Women Drawing Batik Designs on Cloth (ca. 1867 - ca. 1910) by Céphas, KassianRijksmuseum
What is Batik?
Batik is a handicraft that is passed down from generation to generation in the form of fabric decoration techniques with the form of dots and lines using hot wax as a color barrier / cover with tools using canting tulis or canting cap forming meaningful motifs.
Who was the first to invent batik?
Batik is a communal knowledge that our ancestors passed down orally from generation to generation.
Batik fulfills 3 out of 5 UNESCO criteria, namely oral traditions and expressions; social habits, community customs, and rites; and traditional craftsmanship.
When did Batik start to exist in the archipelago?
Patterned fabrics have existed since the time of the Hindu-Buddhist period, which is known through archaeological remains such as statues and inscriptions.
Prajnaparamita (1300/1300)Museum Batik Indonesia
The statue of Prajnaparamita is depicted wearing a long cloth with a circular pattern or patola in the shape of a ceplok flower with the edges of the cloth decorated with tumpal motifs. This motif developed into the Nitik (Yogyakarta) and Jlamprang (Pekalongan) motifs.
Nitik motif from Yogyakarta (left) and Jlamprang motif from Pekalongan (right)
The Inscription about Batik
Inscriptions provide clues about clothing in the past, one of which is the Cker inscription issued by King Sri Kameswara of the Kediri kingdom in 1107 Saka (1185 AD).
Prasasti Cker 2 (1185/1185) by Dok.Museum Batik IndonesiaMuseum Batik Indonesia
Cker inscription
The Cker inscription mentions that Cker villagers were allowed to wear clothes painted with colors (tulisa warnna). It is thought that this type of cloth was batik during the Kediri kingdom.
The term "tulis" in the Cker inscription most likely refers to the process of making batik cloth, namely the batik tulis known today.
The term tulis in the past is also found in the Kemulan inscription (12th century) and Tuhanaru inscription (14th century).
Pajangan Dinding 709 (2000) by Sri KuncoroMuseum Batik Indonesia
Batik as Cultural Heritage
Batik is a handicraft of decorating fabrics by crossing colors using hot wax (dye-resist) with canting tools. This artwork has been around since ancient times and passed down between generations. Indonesian batik has been recognized by the world.
Christie, J Wisseman. 1993. Texts and Textiles in 'Medieval' Java. JSTOR: Bulletin de l'Ecole francaise d'Extreme-Orient, Vol. 80, No. 1, pp.181-211.
Djoemena, Nian S. 1986. Ungkapan Sehelai Batik It's Mystery and Meaning. Jakarta: Djambatan.
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