Batik is historically derived from the days of Indonesian Fathers, known since the seventeenth century, written and painted on palm leaves. At that time batik motif or pattern is still dominated by the shapes of animals and plants. But in the history of the development of batik have evolved, from painting motifs of animals and plants slowly turned to abstract motif that resembles a cloud, temple reliefs, beber puppets and so on. Furthermore, through the merger of painting with the art of decorating style clothing, batik art emerge as we know it today.
Type and traditional batik patterns have very much motif, but the pattern and its variations in accordance with the philosophy and culture of each region that very diverse. Cultural treasures such a rich nation Indonesia has prompted the birth of various styles and types of traditional batik with the characteristics of its own specialty.
The development of Batik in Indonesia
The history of batik in Indonesia associated with the development of the Majapahit kingdom and the kingdom afterward. In some records, the development of batik is mostly done in times of Mataram kingdom, then in the kingdom of Solo and Yogyakarta.
Batik art is the art image on the cloth for clothing which became one of the family cultures of the kings of ancient Indonesia. Initially batik is done only limited in the palace alone and proceeds to dress the king and his family and his followers. Because many of the followers of the king who lived outside the palace, the art of batik was brought by the palace and carried them out in place of each.
The Process of Making batik
In the development of batik art gradually imitated by the people nearest and further extends the work of women in the household to fill leisure time. Furthermore, batik clothes that used only the royal family then became popular folk clothing, both women and men.
White fabric that is used when ancient time is the result of homespun. Coloring materials are being used consists of plants native to Indonesia made itself among others of: mengkudu tree, tinggi, soga, nila, and the soda material made from soda ash, and salt is made of mud.
So this batik in Indonesia has been known since the time of the Majapahit kingdom and continued to grow until the next kingdom. As for starting the spread of 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 of manual batik (we have to write the patters manually) is all up to the early twentieth century and printed batik is known only after the 1st world war or about 1920. Now, batik has become part of Indonesia's traditional clothing.
Pekalongan Batik
Although no official records to be known when the batik began in Pekalongan, but according to estimates batik Pekalongan is already exist around the year 1800. In fact, according to data recorded at the Ministry, batik was made 1802, like a small tree motif in the form of clothing material.
However, a significant development expected to occur after a major war in the year 1825-1830 in the kingdom of Mataram are often referred to Diponegor war. With the onset of this battle royal family and urged his followers to leave many areas of the kingdom. They then spread toward the East and West.
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. Batik is being developed westward in Banyumas, Kebumen, Tegal, Cirebon and Pekalongan. Given this migration, the batik Pekalongan is preexisting growing.
Over time, Batik Pekalongan has evolved considerably in comparison with other regions. In this area Batik developed around the coastal areas, namely in the area of the city and region Buaran Pekalongan, Pekajangan and Wonopringgo.
Pekalongan Batik Museum
Pekalongan public encounter with various nations such as China, Dutch, Arabic, Indian, Malay and Japanese in ancient times have colored the dynamics in full color motifs and batik art.
In connection with the several types of batik motifs result of the influence of various countries are then known as Pekalongan batik identity. As for motive, among others Jlamprang inspired batik from India and Arabia, batik Encim and Klengenan, influenced by the Peranakan Chinese, batik Pagi - Sore by the Dutch, and batik Hokokai, growing rapidly since the Japanese occupation.
Cultural development of printing techniques using dye lid motif night (candles) on the cloth which was then called batik, indeed inseparable from the influence of those countries. This shows the context of flexibility batik from time to time.
Pekalongan batik became highly distinctive because it relies entirely on hundreds of small businesses, rather than on a handful of entrepreneurs. Since decades ago until now, most of the production process Pekalongan batik done in homes. As a result, Pekalongan batik fused Pekalongan closely with community life which is now divided into two administrative regions, namely the Pekalongan Municipal and Pekalongan District.
Tidal development of Pekalongan batik, show Pekalongan worthy of being an icon for the development of batik in the archipelago. The icon for works of art that never gave up with the times and always dynamic. Now, batik has become a breath of everyday life in Pekalongan residents and it is one of the flagship products. This is because many industries that produce batik. Since the famous with batik products now Pekalongan known as the City of Batik. The nickname comes from a long tradition rooted in Pekalongan. During that long period, various properties, the variety of uses, type design, and quality of batik is determined by the climate and the presence of fibers of local, historical factors, commerce and community readiness to accept and understand new ideas.
Batik is an art culture that is admired the world, among the traditional variety produced by dye technology hurdles, none of which can be present as beautiful and as smooth as batik Pekalongan.
