BATIK

The history of batik in Indonesia is closely linked with the development of the Majapahit kingdom and the spread of Islam in the Land of Java. In some records, the development of batik is mostly done in times of Mataram kingdom, then in the work of Solo and Yogyakarta. 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. Hand drawn batik produced all through the early twentieth century and printed batik is known only after the world wars or the unity out around 1920. The connection with the spread of Islam.
        Batik art is the art image on the cloth for clothing which became one family culture of the kings of ancient Indonesia. Batik initially 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 the palace and carried them out in place of each. Long batik art was 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 a popular folk clothes, both women and men. White fabric that is used when it is the result of homespun. Coloring materials used consist of plants native to Indonesia that is made among others of: noni tree, height, Soga, indigo, and materials made from soda ash soda, and salt are made of mud. 

According to the technique :
• Hand drawn batik is decorated with fabric textures and patterns of batik by hand. Batik making this type takes approximately 2-3 months.
• Printed batik is decorated with fabric textures and patterns created with batik cap (usually made of copper). Batik-making process of this type takes approximately 2-3 days.
• Painting Batik is the process of making batik painting by painting directly on white cloth.

Types and Variations of Batik

Javanese Kraton Batik (Javanese court Batik)

Javanese kraton (court) Batik is the oldest batik tradition known in Java. Also known as Batik Pedalaman (inland batik) in contrast with Batik Pesisiran (coastal batik). This type of batik has earthy color tones such as black, brown, and dark yellow (sogan), sometimes against a white background. The motifs of traditional court batik have symbolic meanings. Some designs are restricted: larger motifs can only be worn by royalty; and certain motifs are not suitable for women, or for specific occasions.

The palace courts (keratonan) in two cities in central Java are known for preserving and fostering batik traditions:

Solo Batik is famous for its style and its traditional batik pattern in the stamp and in the process of batik he wrote. The materials used for coloring is still a lot of use of domestic materials such as Java Soga had known since the first. The pattern remained among others, famous for its "Sidomukti" and "Sidoluruh" 

Characteristic Yogyakarta Batik, there are two kinds of background or base color fabric. White and Black. While color can be white batik (cloth color), dark blue-black and brown Soga. Sered or suburban fabric, white, attempted to break so do not concede Soga, both black and white fabric background.

Pesisir Batik (Coastal Batik)

Pesisir batik is created and produced by several areas on the northern coast of Java and on Madura. As a consequence of maritime trading, the Pesisir batik tradition was more open to foreign influences in textile design, coloring, and motifs, in contrast to inland batik, which was relatively independent of outside influences. 

Pekalongan batik coast including the most rich in color. As is typical of coastal batik, the variety of dressing usually naturalist. When compared with other coastal batik Pekalongan Batik is greatly influenced Chinese immigrants and Dutch descent. Pekalongan Batik very free, and interesting, although his motives are sometimes the same as Solo or Yogya batik, often modified with a variety of attractive colors. Not infrequently encountered on a piece of batik cloth to 8 bold colors and dynamic combination. The most popular motifs and is known from the Pekalongan batik motif Jlamprang.

Batik Cirebon has its own color and batik techniques are difficult to be imitated by other regions, because the coloring is not only using the batik technique is quite complicated but the ph levels of water determines the success of a process of batik dyeing. This is the advantage of batik Cirebon, in addition to having a good batik design, batik Cirebon is also supported by the staining technique and the ph of water is different from other regions.

China's most influential cultures in Batik Lasem. For example, motifs that are influenced by Chinese culture is a motif that uses pictures phoenix and principal - the principal bamboo tree. According to Chinese belief bamboo tree symbolizes the strong family harmony. In addition Lasem Batik has 2 (two) typical pattern is: Latohan and watu rupture. Latohan motifs inspired by plant latoh (a type of seaweed) is a typical food lasem society while describing rupture watu motif Lasem public indignation when Daendeles road construction that takes a lot of casualties.

Batik Tuban is one of the coastal batik, which has the characteristic of a variety of color. In the book Batik Fabled Cloth of Java written by Inger McCabe Elliott said to be similar to actual Tuban batik batik Cirebon in the mid-19th century. This similarity occurs in the use of spun yarn as well as the use of red and blue on the dyeing process. But when the city of Cirebon underwent a dramatic change followed the change in batik, but still maintaining the authenticity of Tuban batik as before.

Batik Madura using natural dye so the color is quite striking. In addition to the striking colors, like yellow, red or green, Madura batik motif also has a diverse repertory. For example, shoots a spear, lozenges, and knitting. In fact, there are a number of different motifs lifted flora and fauna that exist in the everyday life of the Madurese.  

On October 2, 2009, batik was inaugurated by UNESCO as a cultural and artistic heritage of native Indonesia.