History of batik in the archipelago began long before the word "Indonesia" itself created. Culture printing techniques dye batik cap by using the night of honeycomb on the fabric was not exclusively found in Indonesia, but stretched from Egypt to the Middle East region.
This technique can also be found in Turkey, India, China, Japan and Africa. But there is no single place in the world that develops technologies and batik motifs such complex and rich as in Indonesia (especially Java).
Theories regarding the origin of batik has become a fairly complicated conversation. G.P. Rouffaer, Dutch scientists examined about batik said, the technique was first brought from South India region. There is another opinion from JLA Brandes that said that there was the influence of India before coming to Indonesia, the archipelago has 10 indigenous cultural elements, namely, puppets, gamelan, poetry, metal casting currency, navigation, astronomy, rice cultivation, irrigation, government, and batik.
This theory was then a little break theory that batik originated from South India.
There's more to tell, history of batik in Indonesia growing and developing since the imports of woven fabrics from India in the 17th century. European Cain also went to Indonesia in early 1815. But this theory is also rolling away. Given the similar motifs of batik can already be found in the temple reliefs of Prambanan and Borobudur well. This means that buildings that had stood since the 8th century is already affecting motif that exists today.
A review of history, published by Van Kunsten Wetwnschapen Genootchap Bataviaasche 1912 and named the book Centini said at the time Pakubuwono V, batik existing terms and at that time there have been subtle motifs like gringsing, kawung, machetes and others damaged.
The book also mentioned that the canting already in use at the time. In ancient and medieval literature, was found nyerat or discussion about a suspected nitik fabric decorating techniques using night. Later, after moving to Kartasuro Surakarta palace, came the term mbatik of Jarwo Dosok. The word is derived from the combination of the words "ngembat" and "stop" means making a point.
Of all the literature is quite noticeable that the color merintang techniques using night is indeed developing and developed in Java, especially Central Java. The case then all the archipelago has batik is clearly due process of human movement and the movement of cultures existing together with these men.
And techniques and is being developed, following the cultural assimilation of the people. And is then used to make batik became so rich and diverse.
From east to west, from north to south, almost all regions of the island of Java has its own batik. Talk Yogyakarta and Solo batik, then we'll talk a little about the history of the Islamic Mataram kingdom. A royal pomp aftermath of the archipelago is so successful in his time.
Through a very complicated process and involves hundreds of Islamic Mataram royal rebellion eventually split into two through Giyanti agreement on February 13, 1755.
The agreement involves a more or less VOC's intervention, dividing the region into the Islamic Mataram Sultanate of Surakarta and Yogyakarta. Where Pakubuwono III became king and Prince Mangkubumi become the new king in the region with the title Sultan Hamengkubuwono I.
In essence, the separation areas, then make a variety of changes in the culture of both regions.
Surakarta, which is the beginning of the Islamic Mataram kingdom to maintain any type of culture they have. Start of ritual, dance to batik. While Sultanate Sultanate Ngayogyakarto tend to make various kinds of new traditions, while remaining rooted in the tradition of Islamic Mataram kingdom. It includes batik fabric.
If the bit is concluded, the culture of the Surakarta Sultanate Ngayogyakarto more conventional than the likely progressive Sultanate. This is seen for example in Yogyakarta dance more dynamic than the more upright stance than Surakarta.
For batik, Sultan Hamengkubuwono I of Yogyakarta, choose white as the background color of batik fabric base. While His Majesty Pakubuwono III of Surakarta / Solo still choose dark background tends to Sogan and batik fabrics.
White is the dominant color that can be seen in Yogya batik cloth. Sogan golden brown color is the dominant color of batik Solo.
If Yogya batik appear darker in color, the darker the color will be dominant kebiruanlah seen on batik fabrics. While Solo Batik will appear in black and tan when she appeared in a dark color. This comes as a result of the blue dye process multiple times obtained from the indigo plant.
While the dark brown color found in a Solo batik dyeing results repeatedly Sogan brown.
This is the most basic thing that distinguishes Yogya and Solo batik. Sogan color brown or golden yellow color remains the second characteristic of batik.
Some differences were also seen how Yogya and Solo batik artisans in memprodo - gold decoration on the motifs - their batik.
Solo affixing different styles Prodo Yogya style. In the style of Solo, was spiked Prodo outline (outline) style and some of Isen-isennya. While the style of Yogya, almost all shades and coated isennya Prodo. The impression is displayed on Prodo Solo style is more calm and graceful, while in Yogya style more handsome and stand out.
Both are equally beautiful. Batik, a work of art that represents the soul. So also with the wearer. Which do you prefer? Of course it all depends on taste ... (Iwet Ramadan)
Thus Snapshot History of Batik Indonesia to commemorate National Batik Day 2012. Hopefully more and more in love batik, batik is an icon of pride for us.