History of Batik Indonesia

Batik is historically derived from ancestors, known since the seventeenth century, written and painted on palm leaves. At the moment motif batik pattern is still dominated by forms of animals and plants. But in its development history of batik have evolved, from painting motifs of animals and plants gradually turn to the abstract patterns that resemble a cloud, temple reliefs, wayang beber and so forth. Furthermore, through the merger of the painting with the art of decorating style clothing, batik art show as we know it today.

The type and style of traditional batik quite so much, but the patterns and variations in accordance with the philosophy and culture of each region are very diverse. Indonesia's cultural treasures so rich nation has been driving styles and types of batik tradisioanal with its own specialty characteristics.

Growth in Indonesian Batik

The history of batik in Indonesia with regard to the development of the Majapahit kingdom and the kingdom afterwards. In some records, the development of batik is mostly done in times of Mataram kingdom, then in the kingdom of Solo and Yogyakarta.

Art of batik is an art image on the fabric for clothing that was one of the family culture of Indonesian kings of old. Batik initially worked in the palace alone are limited and the results for the king's clothes and family and his followers. Because many of the followers of the king who lived outside the palace, the art of batik was brought by them out palace and place of each work


The process of making batik
In the development of this batik art gradually imitated by the people nearest and subsequently expanded into the work of women in the household to fill his spare time. Furthermore, batik clothes that used only the royal family, then became a popular folk clothes, both women and men.

White fabric that is used when it is the result of homespun. Medium dye materials used consisted of plants native to Indonesia who made himself among others of: noni tree, tall, soga, indigo, and the material is made from soda ash soda, as well as salts made from mud soil.

So this batik in Indonesia has been known since the time of Majapahit kingdom and continued to grow until the next kingdom. The start spreading this batik art belongs to the people of Indonesia and Java in particular tribe is after the end of the eighteenth century or early nineteenth century. Produced batik batik is all to the early twentieth century and printed batik is known only after the world war was over unity or around 1920. Now, batik has become part of traditional Indonesian clothing.


Pekalongan Batik

Although no official records began to be known when the batik in Pekalongan, but according to estimates existing in Pekalongan batik around the year 1800. Even according to data recorded at the Ministry, batik was made 1802, like a small tree motif in the form of clothes.

But significant progress is expected to occur after a major war in 1825-1830 in the kingdom of Mataram which is often referred to as Java Diponegoro war or war. With the onset of this battle royal family and urged his followers were many who left the kingdom. They then spread towards the East and West. Later in the area - a new area that the family and followers develop batik.



To the east of Solo and Yogyakarta Batik batik patterns that have been perfected in Mojokerto and Tulungagung to spread to Gresik, Surabaya and Madura. Medium westward batik developed in Banyumas, Kebumen, Tegal, Cirebon and Pekalongan. With this migration, the batik Pekalongan that have been there before growing.

Over time, Batik Pekalongan experiencing rapid development compared to other regions. In this region batik evolved around the coastal areas, namely in Pekalongan city and regional areas Buaran, Pekajangan and Wonopringgo.

Museum Batik Pekalongan
Pekalongan public encounter with the various nations such as China, Dutch, Arabic, Indian, Malay and Japanese in ancient times has colored the dynamics of color motifs and batik art.

In connection with the several types of batik motif result of the influence of various countries who came to be known as the identity of Pekalongan batik. The motive was, that is batik Jlamprang, inspired from Indian and Arab Affairs. Then batik Encim and Klengenan, influenced by the Peranakan Chinese. Dutch batik, batik Morning Afternoon, and batik Hokokai, grown rapidly since the Japanese occupation.


The development of print culture techniques using dye motifs cover the night (candles) on the fabric which is then called batik, is inseparable from the influence of those countries. This shows the context of the flexibility of batik from time to time.

Pekalongan batik is very unique because it relies entirely on hundreds of small entrepreneurs, rather than on a handful of large employers have capital. Since many decades ago until now, most of Pekalongan batik production process is done in homes. As a result, closely united with batik Pekalongan Pekalongan community life that is now divided into two administrative regions, namely Pekalongan Municipality and Regency of Pekalongan.

Pekalongan batik tidal development, showing Pekalongan eligible to become an icon for the development of batik in Indonesia. Icon for works of art that never gave up with the times and always dynamic. Now, batik has become a breath of everyday life Pekalongan residents and is one superior product. This is because many industries which produce batik. Because the product is known for his batik, known as the City of Pekalongan Batik. The nickname came from a long tradition rooted in Pekalongan. During that long period, various properties, the variety of uses, type design, as well as batik quality is determined by the climate and the presence of fibers of local, historical factors, trade and community readiness to accept and understand new ideas.

Batik is an art culture that admired the world, among the traditional varieties produced with dye technology hurdles, none of which can be present as beautiful and as smooth as batik Pekalongan.

celebration of Indonesian batik - 2 oktober 2010