Monday, February 22, 2010

Batik Art, A Nation Heritage and Cultural Property


The word batik is from a word in Javanese language is the means ambatik about the writing or incised dots. In the process of making batik cloth, batik craftsmen carve the motifs into a beautiful cloth using canthing containing hot wax. Batik process is done carefully and often have a batik craftsman to carve a series of points to gain a complex batik motif. Tools for batik is canting. A tool shaped like a pen and made of bamboo, copper-headed and narrow-mouthed at the edges. This canting is used to ladle the hot liquid wax, which is used as a cover or protection against dye coloring at the time. At the beginning of the process of making batik, batik carve a candle in a white cloth using canthing. But prior to drawing incised motifs with hot wax, cloth must be used first dipped into oil of plants and a soda solution, to facilitate the candle stick and to the fabric can more easily absorb the dye. Every time the cloth was given to another color, the parts that should not be subject to dye covered with wax, so more colors used to decorate the batik cloth, it gets too close it work. In the final stage, a layer of wax cloth cover is removed by boiling the cloth in boiling water after soaking in a solution of soda ash (sodium silicate) to perpetuate the batik colors. As a final result is a piece of batik cloth with beautiful motifs are stunning.

Batik technique is thousands of years old. Some experts even say that the batik technique may have originated from the ancient cultures of the nations in Africa, the Middle East (the ancient Sumerians) and several ancient nations in Asia to continue to spread until he came to Indonesia. The spread of batik techniques and culture can get to Indonesia, apparently thanks to the merchants from India who had visited areas in Indonesia in the past few centuries. Initially batik cloth known only limited environment or the royal palace where batik cloth originally worn only by nobles and kings. But along with the development, then the next batik cloth is widely known among the people and continue to grow until the present. The number and type of batik motifs that reaches thousands of this type has the characteristic of each region in Indonesia. Although there are types of printed batik, batik cloth but made and painted by using canthing still occupying the top level and preferences are still so attractive to consumers in the country and abroad. The level of difficulty and complexity and the type of fabric used also influence the selling price. Today not only batik cloth fabric, but also has a lot of batik cloth found fabric polyester, rayon, to silk. Even batik cloth made of silk material price could reach millions of rupiah.

Dissemination techniques and Batik Art Batik
Arts batik in Indonesia has been widely known since the days of the Majapahit kingdom and apparently continues to grow and spread to other kingdoms in the archipelago. The start spreading this batik art belongs to the people of Indonesia and Java in particular tribe is after the end of the 18th century or early 19th century. Produced batik batik is all until the early 20th century and printed batik is known only after the completion of World War I or around the 1920's. The material used in making traditional batik cloth among other coloring materials are made from native plants homemade Indonesia as mengkudu wood, pace, turmeric, height, Soga, indigo, while the material is made from soda soda ash, and salts made from mud.

Batik has become the kingdom Majahit culture, can be traced in the Mojokerto and Tulung Agung. Mojokerto is a region closely associated with the Majapahit kingdom during the first and the origin of the name Mojokerto something to do with Majapahit. Batik centers in Mojokerto are in Kwali, Mojosari, Betero and Sidomulyo. Batik area closest to the Mojokerto is in Jombang. In the late 19th century in Mojokerto, have used the main ingredients such as batik, woven white cloth itself and the drugs from Soga Jambal batik, mengkudu, indigo tom, height and so on. Import chemicals for new batik dyes known after World War I period that is generally sold by Chinese traders in Mojokerto. Batik cap came to be known along with the entry of drugs made overseas batik. Seal or stamp batik motif (the type of printed batik) was created in Bangil and entrepreneurs can buy batik Mojokerto in Sidoarjo Porong market. Porong market formerly known as the bustling market, where the results of batik production and Jetis cangkring Kedung Sidoarjo sold. As the world economic crisis before the era of Japan and the Japanese occupation, batik entrepreneurs come Mojoketo paralyzed. Batik activity appears again after the revolution which has become a regional Mojokerto Japanese occupation. Characteristic of batik Kalangbret of Mojokerto is almost equal to the output of batik-batik of Yogyakarta, which is essentially coraknya white and brown color and dark blue. Batik centers known since more than a century ago was in the village Majan and Simo.

Although batik is known since the days of Majapahit, but the development of batik art began to spread rapidly in the region of Surakarta in Central Java and Yogyakarta. It seems that the development of batik in Mojokerto and subsequent Supreme Tulung more influenced style of batik Solo and Yogyakarta. Majan batik art is a legacy from the days of the Diponegoro war. Color babaran Majan and Simo batik is unique because of the color red babarannya (mengkudu leather) and the other colors of the tom. One of the first centers of batik since there Sembung rural areas, where in the late 19th century, batik entrepreneurs mostly from Solo who came in Tulungagung. Until now there are still some families of Solo batik craftsmen who settled in the area Sembung. There are also areas in Trenggalek batik and some in Kediri, although some large-scale and household handicraft including batik handicrafts.

In the area of East Java, batik art history in the area of Ponorogo closely associated with the development of Islamic religion. In the area Tegalsari, Ponorogo, there is a boarding school that nurtured Kyai Hasan Basri, or known as the Great Tegalsari Kyai. Kyai Hasan Basri was taken into law by the king of the Kingdom of Solo. Batik art began to spread to Tegalsari as diboyongnya daughter to court Solo Tegalsari by Kyai Hasan Basri. In those days many families Solo courts are studying in boarding school. This event is brought batik art from the palace to the Ponorogo. Perbatikan areas in Ponorogo we can see that now is the area that is Kepatihan Wetan Kauman now and from here spread to the villages Ronowijoyo, Mangunsuman, Kertosari, Setono, Cokromenggalan, Duchy, Nologaten, Bangunsari, Cekok, and NGUNUT Banyudono. At that time the material was still wearing a batik cloth of woven self-made arms. New import white cloth known in Indonesia in the late 19th century. Batik stamp on the new Ponorogo known after the first world war brought by a Chinese named Kwee Seng from Banyumas.

Regional Ponorogo early 20th century in the famous batik indigo dye that does not fade and that's why batik entrepreneurs from Banyumas and Solo provides employment to many entrepreneurs in Ponorogo batik. As a result of the familiar printed batik Ponorogo production after the first world war until the outbreak of the second world war famous for its batik is batik cap rough blue mori. Crude market Ponorogo printed batik became known throughout Indonesia. Batik Solo and Yogyakarta at around 17.18 and 19th centuries, more and more widespread, especially in the areas of Java Island. The materials used for coloring in the first batik, still using the materials in the country such as Java Soga. The pattern remained among others known as "Sidomukti" and "Sidoluruh".

The origins of batik in the Yogyakarta area known since the kingdom of Mataram to-I with its king Panembahan Senopati. The first area is the center of batik Plered village. Batik limited at that time within the family court is done by the women helpers queen and then expanded followed by the wife of the courtiers and soldiers. At the official ceremony of the royal court families both men and women wearing clothes with a combination of batik and striated. As a result of the war on the Dutch colonial era, many families fled and the king who settled in new areas such as Banyumas, Pekalongan, and to the east Ponorogo, Tulungagung and so on. Families who fled the palace is a developed batik to all corners of the island of Java is now and growing by the creativity and uniqueness of local culture.

Typical batik Solo and Yogyakarta which began reaching the area of East Java batik patterns further refine existing in Mojokerto and Tulung Agung. Continue to spread to Gresik, Surabaya and Madura. In the area of West Java, batik developed in Banyumas, Pekalongan, Tegal, Cirebon. The development of batik in Banyumas Sokaraja centered in the area brought by the followers of Prince Diponegoro years after the 1830 war that later developed in Sokaraja batik dyes. Materials used mori homespun results and drugs used dyes tom tree, trees and mengkudu pace that gives the red color of yellow shade. Batik techniques and then be transmitted to people Sokaraja and at around the end of the 19th century the batik in this area has established trade relations with the batik from the Solo and Ponorogo. After the world war started batik union also done by the citizens of Chinese descent who is also trade batik. Furthermore batik art began to develop in the coastal areas, except in Pekalongan region itself, which is growing rapidly in Buawaran, Pekajangan and Wonopringgo. The existence of batik in these areas almost simultaneously with the batik other areas which is about the 19th century.

The development of batik art and technique out of the territory of Yogyakarta and Solo to expand further. Until the early 20th century art activity is known batik batik morinya with artificial materials in the country and also some imports. New printed batik known after World War I and began to widely used drugs and chemicals for batik made in Germany and the UK.

In the early 20th century, the weaving business there Pekajangan which produces spun yarn stagen own and simple. Soon began the art of batik is done by the workers who had been working in this weaving craft sector. Many workers in the sugar factory and Tirto Wonopringgo to switch jobs batik companies, because his wages higher than the sugar factory. Batik art known in Tegal began in the late 19th century. Dyes used homemade time taken from the plants pace / mengkudu, indigo, timber Soga and her cloth is woven themselves. Color Tegal batik was first babaran Sogan and gray after known indigo plant, and then develop into red and blue colors. Batik from Tegal as it had started reaching the West Java and traders said this was developed in Tasik batik and Ciamis. In the early 20th century was known mori imports and imports chemicals for the manufacture of batik.

Batik entrepreneurs in Tegal weak period in the capital and raw materials derived from Chinese traders in Pekalongan with batik on credit and sold on credit which gives the raw material. The development of batik in Kebumen faster than in Purworejo. Production as well as Yogyakarta and other Banyumas areas. While in the Bayat area, Tembayat Kebumen District, which is located approximately 21 Km east of the town of Klaten. Batik art in the village of Bayat has existed since time immemorial. Batik entrepreneurs in Bayat had most of the handicrafts and batik workers in Solo. Batik art in Kebumen is known around the 19th century by Muslim traders brought by the development of Yogya batik in Kebumen. Batik process is called first in Kebumen tengabang or Blambangan and subsequent final process is done in Banyumas / Solo. Around the early 20th century used to create the pattern of taste saffron is made from wood. Kebumen motives are trees, birds-burungan. Dye used comes from trees and indigo mengkudu tom. Use of chemicals imported for the manufacture of batik in Kebumen known around the year 1920, introduced by the employees of Bank Rakyat Indonesia. The use of copper seal is known around the year 1930 brought by Purnomo of Yogyakarta. Regional batik is a village in Kebumen: Watugarut, Tanurekso many and there are several other villages.

Batik art in Tasikmalaya district allegedly known since ancient kingdom "Tarumanagara" where the existing heritage is the number of trees there Tarum useful for making batik time. Heritage village which still exists today Wurug batik is famous for its batik craft, Sukapura, Mangunraja, Maronjaya and Tasikmalaya city. Formerly the center of government and the crowd is the village famous Sukapura, Indihiang located on the outskirts of Tasikmalaya now. Tasikmalaya batik production now is a mixture of batik-batik from Pekalongan, Tegal, Banyumas, Ghost of various patterns and colors. Batik was known in Ciamis around the 19th century, after the completion of Diponegoro war, where followers of Diponegoro much left Yogyakarta, heading south. Some areas there is settled Banyumas and there is a continuing part of the journey to the south and settled in Ciamis and Tasikmalaya now. Ciamis batik motif is a mixture of the Central Javanese batik motifs and influences and colors of Garut. Until the early 20th century batik in Ciamis developed little by little, from their own needs into market production. Was in the area of Cirebon batik something to do with the kingdom in this region, namely Kanoman, Kasepuhan and Keprabonan. Characteristic of the bulk of Cirebon batik motive images of forest and wildlife symbol. Sea motif which appears heavily influenced by Chinese culture, which the sultanate of Cirebon editing once Chinese princess. Batik featuring cirebonan eagle has been influenced by motives Yogyakarta and Solo batik.

In Jakarta, the art of batik was known and developed in conjunction with central areas other batik is roughly the late 19th century. Batik art brought by immigrants, immigrants from Central Java, and they reside in the central region of batik. Regional centers of batik in Jakarta scattered near Tanah Abang namely: Rubber, Lower Dam and Udik, Kebayoran Lama, and the Mampang Prapatan and Tebet. Jakarta since the pre-war union world has become inter-regional trade center with the port Indonesia Fish Market now. After the war finished the first part, batik production increases and batik traders looking for new marketing areas. Batik traders is the nation's many ethnic Chinese and Arabic, in addition to a small number of local residents. Jakarta Batik famous prewar crude batik, with the same color Banyumas batik.

Batik later developed throughout the major cities in Indonesia outside Java, such as regions such as West Sumatra, Padang area in particular. West Sumatra including consumer area batik since the days before the union world war, especially the production of batik-batik Pekalongan and Solo and Yogya. In West Sumatra who first developed the industry's famous hand-woven "weaving Silungkang" and "weaving plekat". Batik stamp began to develop in the Dutch colonial period when the demand will increase batik overwhelmed and tend to be filled. Batik dye is generally from plants such as mengkudu, turmeric, gambier, resin and so on. White cloth and white cloth taken from the former and the results of hand-woven. Batik company first appeared that the boat Padang Pariaman in 1946 include: Bagindo Idris, Sidi Ali, Sidi Zakaria, Sutan Salim, Sutan Sjamsudin and in Payakumbuh around 1948, namely Waslim (Pekalongan origin) and Sutan Razab. Color batik from Padang mostly black, yellow and purple and red pattern Banyumasan, Indramayu's, Solo and Yogyakarta. Now, batik has developed production Padang more advanced though still not as good as competing Java-made batik cloth. Existing printed batik sarong mostly. Batik art from time to time continue to spread to other parts of regions in Indonesia such as Bali, and many other areas with colors ranging from green, yellow, red, blue, white and brown.

Preserving Culture Art Batik in Indonesia
Batik Indonesia is a rich culture that should not be abandoned. Actually very unfortunate that the current traditional Indonesian batik is still difficult to patent, whereas the number and types of batik cloth from every region in Indonesia that is calculated to reach thousands of species. Variety and color motifs typical of each region is a cultural richness that must always be preserved. For example, coastal batik generally have a masculine style as in hue "Mega Overcast", because in some coastal areas batik work is common for men. Variety batik pattern and color to a certain extent also influenced by various foreign influences. For example, in the coastal areas of the coast, style of batik cloth to absorb foreign cultural influences brought by foreign traders. Bright colors like red that were originally popularized by the Indonesians, who also popularized the style of a phoenix, eventually also be adapted to the motifs and patterns of coastal batik, for example, Madura batik, which is often tinged with red, black, green, and white and decorated by various motifs of flowers and birds motif picture. Batik Madura characteristic generally used as a sarong, although there are some specifically designed for the official party shirt. Centers and commercial batik batik in Madura is in Pamekasan and Bangkalan. Madura batik traders in general is a citizen of Arab descent in addition to local residents who holds Madurese culture in everyday life.

Nation European colonizers who also took an interest in batik, providing a major influence in batik motifs and patterns typical of Indonesia, such as the motive of flowers (tulips) and various other objects motifs, including foreign colors like blue are beginning often found in batik-batik Indonesia. Various shades of ancient batik typical Dutch colonial era and modern batik made in Indonesia can be seen in the Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. It seems the intellectual property of the Indonesian people's motives in traditional batik, which thousands of these kinds and types, day by day more traced and replicated by the craftsmen from other countries for economic interests. If the government and batik makers would try to put together to try harder to register each type of motive and specificity of traditional batik internationally patented, this would certainly be a good opportunity for business development of international markets berpangsa batik.

Batik museum in the Netherlands, which collects thousands of Tropenmuseum the batik fabrics, always packed with visitors, and this also means an effective means of promotion in popularizing the tradition of typical Indonesian batik dress at the international level. Batik exhibitions abroad, especially in the Netherlands always attracted many visitors. Even publications batik exhibition in the Netherlands are often published in magazines such as magazines and magazines Round About Moesson, who not only published in Dutch, but also rising across Europe, America and Australia. Typical Indonesian batik has even covered by the magazine Island, United States. Acara Indonesian batik fashion show was also broadcast by Fashion TV, a French television who specializes in the fashion show impressions from various countries. It's a shame if the opportunity is there we just missed. Let us giatkan batik industry in the homeland!

Source: http://rdcjateng.com
Photo: http://www.epochtimes.co.id