Indonesia is one country at south east that rich with any culture, the Indonesian cultures are:

1. Traditional Clothes
Traditional clothes are one of Indonesian culture that gives us some information about Traditional clothes from all state in Indonesia. For example: Kebaya is A Traditional clothe from Java island.
2. Traditional Dances
Traditional Dances are one of Indonesian culture that gives us some information about Traditional Dances from all state in Indonesia. For example: Kecak dance is A Traditional dance from Bali state.
3. Handicrafts
Handicraft is art product of Indonesia, it is made by hand not using machine, it is like Rotan to made chair, table and kid toy, etc.
4. Traditional Food and Drink
Traditional food and drink it is for example the Pekalongan traditional food is megono rice, and Soto tauto. And also famous traditional food from Yogjakarta is gudeg and traditional drink from Banjarnegara is dawet ayu

As Indonesian people we must happy and like to improve our culture, and we must show on the world that Indonesian culture is not worst than other culture in other country.

There are many methods to promote our culture to the world. One of things that use to promote our culture for example is by show on our traditional clothes product, it is batik’s product.

We know that batik is famous kind on the world, it’s especially in Indonesia, most of Indonesian people is batik provider and maker, especially in central java.
The famous city in central java state that suppliers batik around Indonesia and around the world are, Pekalongan, solo or Surakarta, Bali and West java of Indonesia.

Why a batik tulis product is more expensive than all batik products? Because the making process of batik tulis is more difficult than all, and it is need a long time to make it, sometimes to finished one piece of batik tulis, we need two week until the result is better than usually.

If you want to buy or order batik product, you can visit us at Pekalongan city, please join and visit us to get a best batik product and don’t worry about quality, Indonesia’s batik is best on the world, especially Pekalongan. Thank you very much and see you

Historically batik has recognized since the century of XVII, come from ancestors epoch written and painted at palm leaf. At the moment motif of batik was dominated with animal form and crop. But nowdays, the development of batik is in a long a progress, that is from animal painting patterns and crop by degrees change over at abstraction motif looking like cloud, temple relief, puppets of beber etcetera. Hereinafter, the combine of painting's pattern and clothes frieze art resulted batik drawn as we know today.

The type and pattern of traditional batik is various kind. But the variation of pattern is according to each culture and philosophy which is many kind. The variety culture in Indonesia has supported the born of kind batik in tradisioanal type and pattern there has own specialty and characteristic.

Growth of Batik in Indonesia
The history of Batik in Indonesia was related to Majapahit Kingdom and after. Batik has develoved in the empire of Mataram, and the kingdom of Solo and Yogyakarta.

Artistry of batik represent artistry of picture above cloth for clothes becoming one of the culture of Indonesia epoch king family first. In the beginning batik was done in limited just in palace and the result is for the king's clothes and family and also its follower. Because of many follower of king which's kept out palace. So, the art of batik was brought by them gone out palace and done in their place.

make making batik
Soon and later, in development of batik was imitated by closest people and spread out to be worked by of woman in it's household to fill spare time. Hereinafter, batik which is the beginning to be the families king clothes, later become the clothes for common people, women and men are wear of it.

White materials which was used at that time was resulted of homespun. While the colour of materials are used the original flora made by our selt for Indonesia, example : tree of mengkudu, tinggi, soga, nila and it's soda materials is made from dusty soda, and also it's salt is made from mud.

So, Indonesian's batik has been recognized since Majapahit kingdom and development fill next empire. For the strarting to spread up the batik art to common people and specially Java's tribe is after the end of century or early century of XIX. The last product of batik was batik drawn (batik tulis) until the XX century, the stamp's batik (batik cap) has begun familiar after the first word war or about a year 1920. Nowadays, batik have become part traditional Indonesian textile.


Batik of Pekalongan
Though there was not official record note when batik begun to be recognized in Pekalongan, but for the estimation batik in Pekalongan about year 1800. Hereinafter the industrial and commerce department not was that batik pattern was exist in 1802, like small tree pattern in the form of clothes materials.

But the important development was estimated to happene after a big war in year 1825-1830 in empire of Mataram which is often referred to the war of Diponegoro or war of Java. By breaking this war pushed on palace family and also all it's follower to leave their kingdom. Then they spread out to eastern and western part. Then in the new area, all family and his follower developed batik.

To eastern, Solo and Yogyakarta batik completed batik pattern which has been in Mojokerto and also Tulungagung till spreading out to Gresik, Surabaya and Madura. While in the west, batik expanded in Banyumas, Kebumen, Tegal, Cirebon and Pekalongan. By this, Pekalongan's batik which has existed to expand.

Nowdays, Batik of Pekalongan grown faster than other area. In this area batik spread out coastal area, that was in Pekalongan town area, Buaran, Pekajangan and also Wonopringgo.
Museum of Pekalongan batik

The meet of society of Pekalongan with various nation like Chinese, Dutch, Arab, India, Malaysia and Japan at past epoch have coloured dynamics at motif and arrange artistic colour of batik.

Referring to that kind of batik design type resulted of influence from various the state which is later known as the identity of Pekalongan's batik. That motif, batik of Jlamprang, inspired from Country India and Arab. Last of batik of Encim and Klengenan, influenced by is halfblooded of Chinese. Batik of Dutch, batik of pagi sore, and batik of Hokokai, grew fast since occupying of Japan.

The development of printed technique of culture by using wax above cloth which is later referred as batik, cannot be separated from the influence of that nations. It's discribe the flexing batik's context.

Batik of Pekalongan become very typical because fully supported to hundreds of small entrepreneur not to a litle entrepreneur which have big capital. Since tens past year until now, most of the process of Pekalongan's batik produced in houses. As a result, batik of Pekalongan one sliverring with life of society of Pekalongan which nowadays divided in two administrative territory, namely Municipality of Pekalongan and sub-province of Pekalongan.

Ebb growth of batik of Pekalongan, describing that Pekalongan is deserve to become icon to growth of batik in Indonesia. Icon to the art which have never given up with growth of epoch and dynamic always. Nowadays batik has become breath of life daily of Pekalongan and represented one of the pre-eminent product. That thing is caused to the hurge of industry batik product. For the famous with it's batik product, Pekalongan is famous for BATIK TOWN. That epithet come from an sufficient tradition taking root in Pekalongan. During long period, the various character, usefulness of manner, device type, and also quality of batik determined by climate and existence of local fibres, histories factor, commerce and readiness of it's society in accepting understanding and new idea.

Batik is representing cultural art which admired by world, among kinds tradition which yielded with technology dye to hamper, none could show beautiful as and as smooth as batik of Pekalongan.
http://www.batikmarkets.com/en/about_batik.php

Batik Designs of Java Island Indonesia
Although there are thousands of different batik designs, particular designs have traditionally been associated with traditional festivals and specific religious ceremonies. Previously, it was thought that certain cloth had mystical powers to ward off ill fortune, while other pieces could bring good luck.
Certain batik designs are reserved for brides and bridegrooms as well as their families. Other designs are reserved for the Sultan and his family or their attendants. A person's rank could be determined by the pattern of the batik he/she wore.


In general, there are two categories of design of java: geometric motifs (which tend to be the earlier designs) and free form designs, which are based on stylized patterns of natural forms or imitations of a woven texture. Nitik is the most famous design illustrating this effect.
Certain areas are known for a predominance of certain designs. Central Javanese designs are influenced by traditional patterns and colors. Batik from the north coast of Java, near Pekalongan and Cirebon, have been greatly influenced by Chinese culture and effect brighter colors and more intricate flower and cloud designs.

High fashion designs drawn on silk are very popular with wealthy Indonesians. These exceptionally high-quality pieces can take months to create and costs hundreds of dollars.

Kawung
Kawung is another very old design consisting of intersecting circles, known in Java since at least the thirteenth century. This design has appeared carved into the walls of many temples throughout Java such as Prambanan near Jogjakarta and Kediri in East Java. For many years, this pattern was reserved for the royal court of the Sultan of Jogjakarta. The circles are sometimes embellished inside with two or more small crosses or other ornaments such as intersecting lines or dots. It has been suggested that the ovals might represent flora such as the fruit of the kapok (silk cotton) tree or the aren (sugar palm).

Ceplok
Ceplok is a general name for a whole series of geometric designs based on squares, rhombs, circles, stars, etc. Although fundamentally geometric, ceplok can also represent abstractions and stylization of flowers, buds, seeds and even animals. Variations in color intensity can create illusions of depth and the overall effect is not unlike medallion patterns seen on Turkish tribal rugs. The Indonesian population is largely Muslim, a religion that forbids the portrayal of animal and human forms in a realistic manner. To get around this prohibition, the batik worker does not attempt to express this matter in a realistic form. A single element of the form is chosen and then that element is repeated again and again in the pattern.

Parang
Parang was once used exclusively by the royal courts of Central Java. It has several suggested meanings such as 'rugged rock', 'knife pattern' or 'broken blade'. The Parang design consists of slanting rows of thick knife-like segments running in parallel diagonal bands. Parang usually alternated with narrower bands in a darker contrasting color. These darker bands contain another design element, a line of lozenge-shaped motifs call mlinjon. There are many variations of this basic striped pattern with its elegant sweeping lines, with over forty parang designs recorded. The most famous is the 'Parang Rusak' which in its most classical form consisting of rows of softly folded parang. This motif also appears in media other than batik, including woodcarving and as ornamentation on gamelan musical instruments.

Batik is generally thought of as the most quintessentially Indonesian textile. Motifs of flowers, twinning plants, leaves buds, flowers, birds, butterflies, fish, insects and geometric forms are rich in symbolic association and variety; there are about three thousand recorded batik patterns.

The patterns to be dyed into the the clothe are drawn with a canting, a wooden 'pen' fitted with a reservoir for hot, liquid wax. In batik workshops, circles of women sit working at clothes draped over frames, and periodically replenish their supply of wax by dipping their canting into a central vat. Some draw directly on the the cloth from memory; others wax over faint charcoal lines.
This method of drawing patterns in wax on fine machine-woven cotton was practiced as a form of meditation by the female courtiers of Central Java; traditionally, batik tulis (tulis means 'write' in Indonesian) is produced by women.
In the 19th century, the application of waxed patterns with a large copper stamp orcap saved the batik industry from competition with cheap printed European cloth. The semi-industrial nature of cap work allows it to be performed by men. Batik motifs recall characters from the Hindu epics, plants, animals, sea creatures and gamalan melodies.

In Surakarta rich creams and browns are juxtaposed with tinges of yellowish gold.White, undyed cloth is left to contrast with the sombre opulence of brown and blue dyes in Yogjakarta. The palette of the north coast were influenced by lively maritime trade and the textile traditions of the Chinese and Arab mercantile communities living in port and coastal towns.

The Symbolic Meaning of Batik's Motifs

The motifs of Batik, especially with old pattern, as in other field of Javanese tradition are symbolizing something. Might be, this is one of the reasons, why people still adore batik up to present date. Some of the motifs are :

1. Sido Mulyo :
Sido (you should be ), mulyo (happy). Symbolizing 'you should be happy and rich man'.
2. Sido Dadi :
Symbolizing 'you should be a man/woman as you wish (prosperous, high ranking position, wealthy, etc)'.
3. Satrio Wibowo :
Symbolizing 'Man with dignity'.
4. Tikel Asmorodono :
Tikel (more), Asmoro (love), Dono (gift).
It is meant the one who wears this batik, should be loved more and more by others.

The Process of Batik Making

Batik, in Javanese means 'To Dot'. Basically there are two kinds of batik; Batik Tulis (hand drawn) and Batik Cap (stamped). The price of batik tulis is much more expensive than batik cap.

Doting

A canting (a pen like instrument with a small reservoir of liquid wax) is applied to the cloth of batik tulis making. The tracing of the desired design on to the prepared cloth is the first stage of making followed by the technique of applying wax and dye substances. At the final stage of the process, all the wax scraped off and the cloth boiled to remove all traces of the wax. This process of repeatedly waxing and dyeing is the batik process, used until nowadays in Java and other parts of Indonesia.

So, this kind art of batik is an indigenous to the country. The wax used in batik process is a combined product of paraffin, bees-wax, plant resins called gondorukem and mata kucing.

Batik cap, which is also using the waxing process, its process of course faster and easier. But people appreciation of batik tulis is higher, it is really a work of an artist not only a craftsman. It combines the expertise, patience, deep feeling to produce the finest product, and it may take days, weeks and even months to make only a batik tulis

The Cities of Batik

Yogyakarta and Solo are the centers of traditional of batiks, as the north coastal town of Pekalongan is the center of more modern batiks, using more floral and birds motifs. There are some well-known artists of batik design in Yogya and Solo, as well as some big batik manufacturers with famous trademarks.

The growing production of batik makes way to the establishment of mori (woven cotton fabrics) factories in Yogya and Central Java. The Batik research Institute was founded in Yogya.

When Batik is Worn

Batik dresses are worn for several purposes, such as ;

1. Informal Dresses
It is a free choice, usually for daily casual wear.
2. Formal Occasions
In some parties, as a state banquets, receptions, etc, the invitees are requested to wear batik. Long sleeves shirts for the men and 'kain batik' (long batik to cover the lower body) for the women.
3. Traditional Occasions
It is worn to present the traditional wedding ceremonies, special ceremonies for the Royal families, etc.

In a wedding ceremony the bride and the bridegroom wear the same motif of batik Sidomukti, symbolizing a happiness and prosperous life. Using the same motif symbolizing the togetherness. The parents of the bride and the bridegroom wear batik with motif of Truntum, symbolizing the advice of the parents to the newly weds to enter the new life with full of love and confidence.

Traditional Dress

Women's traditional dress, especially in Yogya and Solo court families, consisting of :

1. Jarit or Tapih or Sinjang
A 'kain panjang' (long cloth of batik) measuring around 2 m x 1 m to cover the lower body, tightened with stagen (large waist band)
2. Kebaya
It is a traditional long sleeved shirt (the material used is not from batik, usually from silk and other fine materials).
3. Selendang
It is used as attractive piece of clothing to compliment the traditional dress. The 2 m x 0,5 m selendang cloth hung over one shoulder.
4. Kemben or Semekan
It is special for ceremonies in Karaton (palace) or Royal family ceremonies. Instead of wearing Kebaya, to cover the upper body, a kemben is worn.

Men's Traditional Dresses

1. Jarit or Bebed
Men kain panjang, tightened with stagen.
2. Surjan
Men traditional long sleeved shirt (only for Yogya style) and the material is not batik.
3. Beskap
Instead of wearing surjan, the men wear a coat (beskap of Solo style or Atila of Yogya style), the materials is not batik.
4. Blangkon
It is a headgear made from batik.
5. Keris
The dagger is worn at backside of the waist, as a compliment to the dress.

Dodot

Is a very long jarit to cover the lower body. It is worn only on a very special occasion such as the king coronation by the king himself. The wearing of dodot or kampuhan is very complicated. It may take two hours to wear a dodot with the help of specialist-dressers!

Batik Indonesia History Batik today seems to be closely related to the island of Java in Indonesia, who over centuries, been developing the ancient art form to its present day art form as the highly developed intricate batik.

There are two schools of scholars who believe on how history of batik in Java. Some say that batik was originally reserved as an art form for Javanese royalty, where the traditional skills were particularly well developed over hundreds of years in Central Java around Yogyakarta and Solo under the patronage of the Sultan and his court.

Princesses and noble women may have provided the inspiration for the highly refined designs evident in traditional patterns. Designs were copies and in some cases the cloths could only be used by certain people or on certain occasions. And each royal family had their own prescribed designs.
Other scholars disagree that batik was only reserved for the royalties.

According to them, batik was prevelant even to the common folk. It was regarded an important part of a young ladies accomplishment that she be capable of being able to skillfully hand draw batik using the canting (the pen-like instrument used to apply wax to the cloth). Apparently, this skill was as important as cookery and other household chores of the Javanese women.

And true to the form, the people themselves too only wear certain forms of batik motifs for different functions. For example, a certain motif is used during the death (mourn) and another motif is used for when a child is born or when getting married (happy occasions).

Certain areas in Java are known for a predominance of certain designs. Central Javanese designs are influenced by traditional patterns and colors. Batik from the north coast of Java, near Pekalongan and Cirebon, have been greatly influenced by Chinese culture and effect brighter colors and more intricate flower and cloud designs.

The uniqueness of the Indonesian batik is just like all their other arts which are very intricate. This maybe a little difficult to be appreciated by the modern society at first glance. But, when the technique and refinement of Indonesian batik is known, most people will definitely give a second look to it, and more so fall in love (without turning back).

The effort put into their batik are so much more compared to other countries. Sometimes, it requires a few artisans working on it for months.
If there is one country that batik is still commonly found, it has to be Indonesia, as this art form is still very apparent there today. Many of the folks there wear batik in their everyday life from sarungs and even in shirts – both formal and informal. And what makes Indonesia unique is that the folks there are very proud of their tradition, just like how the Thais are proud and synonymous to their Thai silks.taken from historyofbatik.com

Join now at www.albanien.tk