History of Batik Indonesia

Batik is historically derived from the days of our fathers, known since the seventeenth century, written and painted on palm leaves. At that time batik motif or pattern is still dominated by the shape of animals and plants. But in its development history of batik have evolved, from painting motifs of animals and plants gradually turn to an abstract motif that resembles 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 emerged 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. Indonesian cultural treasures so rich nation has been driving styles and types of batik tradisioanal characterized by its own particularity.

Development of Batik in Indonesia

History of batik in Indonesia is related 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, and in the kingdom of Solo and Yogyakarta.

Art of batik is an art image on the fabric for clothing that becomes one of the family culture of Indonesian kings of old. Initially batik is done only limited in the palace alone and proceeds to dress the king 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 worked in place of each. In the development of 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 coloring materials used consist of plants native to Indonesia who made himself among others of: noni tree, tall, Soga, indigo, and materials made from soda ash soda, as well as salts made from mud.

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 until 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.

Batik Pekalongan

Although there is no official record of when batik became known in Pekalongan, but according to estimates Pekalongan batik already in 1800. Even according to data recorded at the Ministry, batik motif that was created in 1802, as a small tree motif in the form of clothing material.

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 area. They then spread towards the East and the 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. Looking West toward developing batik in Banyumas, Kebumen, Tegal Cirebon and Pekalongan. With the migration, the batik Pekalongan preexisting growing.

Over time, Pekalongan Batik experiencing rapid development compared to other regions. In this area batik evolves around the beach area, which is in the city and region Pekalongan Buaran, Pekajangan and Wonopringgo. 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 procedures.

In connection with it some kind of motif influence results from various countries came to be known as Pekalongan batik identity. The motives are batiks Jlamprang inspired from Indian and Arab Affairs, batik Encim and Klengenan, influenced by Peranakan Chinese, Dutch batik Morning Afternoon, and batik Hokokai, growing 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. It shows the resilience context of batik from time to time.

Pekalongan batik became very distinctive because relies entirely on hundreds of small entrepreneurs, rather than on a handful of large employers have capital. Since the past decades up to now, most of the production process Pekalongan batik is done in homes. Consequently, Pekalongan batik closely integrated with people's lives Pekalongan now divided into two administrative regions, namely the Municipality Pekalongan and Pekalongan.

Pekalongan batik tidal developments, showing decent Pekalongan become an icon for the development of batik in the archipelago. 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 was due to the many industries that produce batik. Since the famous batik products, known as the City Pekalongan Batik. The nickname comes 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 variety produced with dye technology hurdles, none of whom were able to be present as beautiful and as smooth as batik Pekalongan.