Since the release of UNESCO as the human heritage for oral and intangible culture in October 2nd 2009, Batik Indonesia was widely spread all over the world in its popularity, also Nationally since the establishment of Batik Day in October 2nd, Indonesian are more interested in their own cultural garment motifs.
Batik users in modern world has increased its creativity to wear batik so they look way more high class fashionable instead of traditional and old.
Indonesia has so many region in different islands, it influenced the batik pattern, it is vary depend on the region and culture. In this article I want to show you a few variation of batik of which popular in some Indonesia region.
SEVEN FACES BATIK (BATIK TUJUH RUPA)
Our popular batik number one on the list, is seven faces batik or in Indonesian known as batik tujuh rupa, came from Pekalongan-Center Java. this pattern shown flora and fauna which inspired by the combination of Chinese and local culture.
Since then Pekalongan was known for merchant transit point from all countries, specially China. These culture acculturation caused Pekalongan batik well known for nature element on its design, found in lunglungan , jlamprang, buketan pisan Bali, terang bulan, and cement motifs and pattern.
TILLER BATIK (BATIK GENTONGAN)
Origin batik from Madura has abstract and simple motifs or flora, or combination of both-abstract and flora. Madura people are well known for their toughness, firm and bold characteristic, so Batik Gentongan often found using bright colors and bold, as yellow, green, red, and purple. Gentongan means “gentong” which is earthenware vessel they traditionally used to dip the batik in the color.
NOBLE BATIK (BATIK KERATON)
As its name, Noble Batik or in Indonesian Batik Keraton, influenced by Java Palace and Sultanate culture of Yogyakarta-Central Java. This batik represent Java King’s discernment, wisdom, and charisma. It was only noble at the palace allowed to wear this motif. As time goes by, everyone allowed to wear batik with its specific motif : symmetrical flowers or bird wing known as wild animal motif.
BATIK SOGAN
Batik Sogan originally from Solo is ancestral heritage, it has been existed since centuries ago. Bright brown color dominated the pattern with specific motif, such as dotted print or curve line drawn to be flowers image. This kind of batik used to worn by kings of Solo sultanate palace.
BATIK MEGA MENDUNG
This batik looks simple, however it will gave luxury look to whoever worn it. Mega Mendung motif inspired by bright colorful cloud in the sky, they are originated from Cirebon, and it perfect for old, young, men or even women.
BATIK SIMBUT
This type has a very simple pattern, taro leaves is their main design often found on this Batik Simbut motif. In hence, this type of motif originally found in Badui tribe, remote area of Banten which is so identical to ancient civilization. As time going by, some of the Badui tribe embrace the alteration and did some effort to developed their batik all the way to Banten coast, that’s why batik simbut has now also be known as Batik Banten.
BATIK KAWUNG
Another popular batik from Central Java is Batik Kawung, This motif inspired by sugar palm fruit that the ancient people often used them to make traditional beverage, make sure to try this culinary when you go to Indonesia. To make the pattern, people set each of sugar palm fruit into four side until they form into circle. This motif has similarity to ten ancient coin motif because of their design has round motif with hole in the middle.
BATIK PRIYANGAN
Batik Priyangan motif is symmetrical flora arranged so tidy. Because of its neat design arrangement and bright colors but elegant, this batik has luxury look to whoever worn it. That’s why batik Priyangan perfect for many occasion.
That is all, now we know that batik is not just a tie dye fabric, people often twisted to nowadays tie dye technique, its more than that, batik Indonesia has philosophy behind their design, the making process also become the history of why their name is different to another.
Adapt from Best Present Guide