BATIK IN INDONESIA

There is a long history behind that can describe batik tradition. Likewise with Kanoman Keraton Cirebon batik endangered crushed time.

So far, Cirebon batik motif often associated with the megamendung characteristic of batik from the port city. In fact, the history of Cirebon batik far richer than just a mere megamendung motives. That history begins from centuries ago, as the development of Cirebon community. Trusmi area, known as batik producers in Cirebon, also grow in these developments.

It is believed, batik is an extension of Trusmi batik habit among the citizens palace. At that time, batik activity only at the palace area because batik became a status symbol for families and nobles Sultan of Cirebon. However, due to the war and the division of power, the palace batik craftsmen were finally repatriated to their respective regions. One area of origin of these craftsmen are Trusmi, where batik Cirebon growing.

Cirebon region which is a major port became one of the factors that influence the development of batik. The existence of acculturation beliefs, arts, and culture as well as the traders brought the past to give a new color which gave birth to the concept of pesisiran batik. Injection of Oriental influences come from China than any merchant not less add festive Cirebon batik. Creating new patterns, like an imaginary animal, kirin and dragon, and the use of color combinations that tend to be brighter.

The palace itself batik motif was not free from the influence of cultural acculturation. It was seen in several collections of batik court that has a touch of Oriental, both in terms of coloring and various hiasnya. However, age and industrial progress made batik symbol of royal status was excluded. As a result, the Keraton Cirebon batik fame faded, and even run over time can be said.

In contrast, the fast growing pesisiran batik. Coastal communities to be the main disseminator agent, they were dealing with other nations, which then further enrich batik motifs and colors pesisiran. Batik was no longer imposed by the limited, even a commodity trade and livelihood for the people of Cirebon until now.


Contrast condition brings its own anxiety. However, batik is a national heritage that must be preserved. Moreover, batik motif save a lot of stories of past history and philosophy of life, ancestral beliefs. Departure from these concerns, the 12th generation of Sunan Gunung Jati, in collaboration with the Society of Indonesian Cultural Conscience (PBNI), and fully supported by the Bank BRI, founded Batik Training Center Kanoman Palace.

"Batik Keraton Cirebon Kanoman a cultural heritage that has a high historical value worth preserving, but unfortunately now beginning to forget their own community. Therefore, we, together with BRI and PBNI establish training centers as a way to introduce batik back Kraton Kanoman Cirebon batik," Sultan said Cirebon Kanjeng Kanoman King Mohammad Gusti Sultan Emirudin.

For that, the sultan appointed his sister, Queen of King Arimbi Nurtina as the manager of the training center. Queen Arimbi who also once an imperial secretary, expects the training center's future could be the first step to re-generate Kanoman Keraton Cirebon batik.

"Now, batik is typical of this court began to be forgotten, but with this training center, we expect the citizens of Cirebon to see more of his own culture, as well as increase tourism commodities in Cirebon," Arimbi Queen said, adding that the training center also offers workshops for the tourists who are interested.

Kanoman Palace centered in Cirebon, batik training center has become one of the interesting events to watch.
Currently the training center to train 20 craftsmen made up of local people. They are not only trained in batik alone, but given a thorough knowledge of the batik process began early process until staining pattern representations. Not only that, the trainees are also given information about marketing techniques and distribution of batik. In this way, will be obtained batik crafters and independent entrepreneurs.

"This is still experimental program, but this training will be expected to bear not only the craftsmen, as well as batik entrepreneurs are more likely to form a commercial enterprise," called Queen Arimbi.