Indonesian Traditional Batik – Fabric Design

Indonesian Traditional Batik Fabric Design is the subject of my desired article to compose today

since it is a continuation of the topic of my past article which likewise examined batik

So this time, I will discuss  Indonesian traditional batik fabric design.in more detail

The motif of batik composed of texture generally has its separate implications and methods of reasoning as per what was in the psyche of the creator

The Origin of the Batik Technique

The batik technique itself has been known for more than 1,000 years, possibly from ancient Egypt or Sumeria.

Batik techniques are widespread in several countries in Africa such as Mali, Cameroon, Nigeria, and other regions in Africa.

As well as in Asia, such as Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, India, and other countries in Asia

The History of Batik In Indonesia

.The historical backdrop of Indonesian Batik is firmly connected with the improvement of the Majapahit Kingdom

And the spread of Islamic lessons on the island of Java.

So that’s why In some records, the development of batik mostly occurred during the Mataram Sultanate era,

then continued during the Surakarta Sunanate and Yogyakarta Sultanate eras.

The oldest Batik in Indonesia

Although batik developed a lot in the era of the Mataram Sultanate which is Surakarta and Yogyakarta Sultanates.

But actually, the oldest batik comes from a small area in east Java namely Ponorogo before 7 century.

Batik from Ponogoro mostly has dark black color because it is close to a magical element. so that the kingdoms in Central Java developed it.

The types of fabric used for Batik

The types of fabrics used to make batik come in a variety of choices.

The choice of this fabric is very important because it relates to comfort when worn and a good texture when starting to write Batik motifs

This is because batik is a handmade work that uses two components, namely fabric, and wax.

So the fabric used must be strong and not easily torn and strong for hot and cold temperatures.

The following are the types of fabrics used for batik:

1. Indonesian Traditional Batik Fabric Design- Shantung 

This one fabric is a type of fabric with another name rayon fabric.

This fabric has a very smooth, cool, and soft texture quality.

The material from Shantung cloth itself has several types ranging from thick to thin materials.

However, this cloth is included if it is used as a type of cloth for batik.

2. Indonesian Traditional Batik Fabric Design- Mori

Mori fabric itself is one type of cloth that has undergone a bleaching process which aims as the basic material for making batik. There are many types and kinds of fabrics.

3. Indonesian Traditional Batik Fabric Design- Grey

The next fabric, namely gray fabric, this fabric is made of “Unfinished” material which does not go through the bleaching process so that the natural color contained in it is still maintained.

This gray fabric is also mostly made of woven cotton yarn.

4. Indonesian Traditional Batik Fabric Design- Silk

Silk cloth has a nickname with the name “The Queen Of Fabric”

where this type of cloth is made from silkworm cocoons.

This cloth is also quite expensive but has a good quality type and you don’t need to doubt it.

Silk fabrics are also famous for their images which are indicated by their very soft, shiny, and smooth texture.

5. Indonesian Traditional Batik Fabric Design- Pineapple Fiber Fabric

Next is pineapple fiber cloth which generally has a rough texture quality, similar to Dobi cloth.

Pineapple fiber is usually the basic material for cotton cloth and is also used as a fabric for batik

Types of Batik in Indonesia and its origin

There are many types of batik in Indonesia and they come from several regions of Indonesia

as we know that batik is traditional Indonesian art, so each region in Indonesia has its own variety of batik motifs according to the variety of cultures in that area.

And the following are the types of batik in Indonesia

1. Indonesian Traditional Batik Fabric Design- Batik Parang Kusumo

This batik comes from the city of Solo

Solo is one of the biggest batik-producing cities in Indonesia

In this city, there are many types of batik motifs and one of the most famous is the Parang Kusumo motif

This batik motif depicts rolling waves hitting rocks and cliffs

The philosophy of this motif is that life is full of struggles and efforts to achieve prosperity by heeding the values ​​of Javanese culture.

2. Batik Tujuh Rupa ( Seven faces )

This batik comes from the city of Pekalongan

Pekalongan City is also one of the batik producers in Indonesia

Usually, the batik motifs that come from this city have animal or plant nuances

So when we look at the motifs of these seven batik motifs, they are full of shades of leaves and flowers

The philosophy of this batik is the ties of ancestral culture which is at that time Pekalongan was a trade transit area.

3. Batik Sidomukti

This batik comes from the city of Solo

Sidomukti batik is a type of palace batik that is painted using natural Soga dye.

*Soga is the name of a tree that produces good dyes that are included in the legume tribe*

Natural Soga substance is a natural brown dye which is a classic dye for batik painting.

As the name implies, the philosophy is taken from the words “Sido” which means to be or become, and “Mukti” which means noble and prosperous.

So, the philosophy of this batik is the value of glory and prosperity, according to the designation of the palace.

4. Batik Mega Mendung

This batik comes from the city of Cirebon, a city on the north coast of the island of Java

Mega Mendung itself means a black cloud indicating it will rain soon

So as the name implies, this batik from Cirebon has a motif like a cloud in the wide sky.

The cloud motif was embellished by using seven color gradations that seemed to create a cloudy feel.

The philosophy of this batik is that humans must be able to reduce the turmoil of their anger under any conditions and situations.

5. Batik Lasem

This batik comes from the city of Lasem, Rembang district

This batik is slightly similar to Pekalongan batik, Lasem batik is included in the types of batik that are influenced by outside cultures.

Because the Lasem area is the first known area to receive the arrival of the Chinese, So this is why the color is predominantly red.

The philosophy of this batik is the unity and acculturation of the Chinese immigrants and the local community.

6. Batik Pring Sedapur

This batik comes from Magetan, a small town in East Java bordering Central Java

This batik has a motif that is quite simple but still looks beautiful with an interesting combination.

The motif is dominated by bamboo and birds which symbolize harmony and peace in life.

7. Jagatan Pisang 

This batik comes from the island of Bali

As the name implies, this batik has a Balinese banana motif.

Generally, this batik is used as a gift to a lover who wants to travel far in the hope that he will come back again.

Therefore, this batik became a symbol of prayer, safety, and hope.

8. Batik Priangan Tasik

This batik comes from Tasik Malaya, West Java

Batik has a tight, neat, and classy pattern with calm bright colors.

The bright colors in this batik symbolize the impression of simplicity, openness, and pluralism

9. Batik Tubo

This batik comes from the city of Ternate, North Maluku ( Ambon )

different from the previous batik motifs, this Tubo batik motif depicts the natural wealth in the Maluku area

That’s why the hallmark of Tubo batik from Ternate is the motif of cloves, nutmeg, maps of North Maluku, fish, coconut, and elements of life found in eastern Indonesia.

10. Batik Tambal

This batik comes from Yogyakarta, a beautiful small city in Indonesia.

as we know that the city of Yogyakarta is also the largest producer of Batik in Indonesia.

So this batik is one of the characteristics of the city of Yogyakarta.

The philosophy of batik Tambal is taken from its name, namely “Tambal” which means a function to patch something that is lacking or damaged. because in ancient times this batik is used to cover sick people and it was believed to help heal

Actually, there are many types of batik in Indonesia but of course, I can not write all of them in one article So maybe next time I will write another type, motif, origin, and philosophy of that batik