Indonesian Batik

Indonesian Batik

Kauman village has close links with the history of displacement palace to Solo Kartosuro which later changed its name to Kasunanan. Kauman is a place of scholars consisting of several layers of society ranging from the prince of commentators anom, dime, muezzin, suronoto and people. The existence of the majority population in the region is the basis for the selection of the name "kauman".

During its development, the art of batik, which is in the village kauman can be divided into three forms of classical batik motifs grip (batik), pure batik stamp and model combination of written and stamped. Batik-patterned grip that is heavily influenced by the art of batik is a product of superior court Kasunanan kauman village of batik. These products are made using the batik kampung kauman natural silk and silk weaving, cotton types premisima and primed, rayon.Villages which have 20-30s home industry is a subscription from the buyer that has existed for generations and tourists (Japan, Europe, Southeast Asia and the United States). Uniqueness is offered to the tourists is the ease of transactions, looking at the home venue for the activities of batik production. That is, visitors have ample opportunity to learn the process of making batik. Even to try it myself practicing batik activities.

Besides batik products, batik village atmosphere surrounded Kauman also sites of historic buildings house building joglo, pyramid, colonial architecture and a mix of Java and Colonial. The buildings in the past that has remained firm amid towering modern architecture of shopping malls, financial institutions (banks and foreign exchange), homestay and hotels are widely available around the village kauman. Support facilities that exist around the village is clearly kauman easiness special for all the tourists who visit in meeting other needs outside of batik.

Kauman Village which has an area of ​​20.10 hectares is one of the old village downtown that has close links with the Palace of Surakarta. Village together with the Grand Mosque, has a specific character with old buildings are characterized by traditional Javanese architecture, as well as the nuances of Islamic community in it.Kauman begin to grow when Pakubuwono III built the Great Mosque in 1757 AD The King held up as the prince of Tafsir Anom Great Mosque. In carrying out his daily duties, the prince of the Great Mosque courtiers assisted by other scholars (among others Ketib and Merbot). The courtiers of his scholars and students living around the Great Mosque, which was developed and named the village Kauman which means "The People".

At first the courtiers scholars only worked as servants in the palace alone, she moonlighted making batik at home for consumption palace. Over time household business is then transformed into a work of batik and duplicate it succeeded in raising the economic level of society. This effort which, among other causes Kauman community can build a magnificent house / beautiful in early 1800 to mid-year 1900 (based on research results in authors did in 1998).The village became prosperous because of his batik business that dominated public life in those days. In fact, according to research Setyaningsih Mandy (2000), the success of this effort to attract immigrants (teteko) to stay in the region and be subject dalem Kauman working to meet all the needs of the palace such as sewing (Gerjen villages), bake (village Baladan), embroidery (village Blodiran) and so on. There is the same social status and religion has led to sibling marriage (which by Adaby Darban called endogamy), thus forming Kauman society into a society that strengthens the bonds of blood kinship / kinship concentrated.

Historical value; But the 1939-1970s batik business went bankrupt. Therefore most of the occupants switched professions to other fields, the former site of batik into neglected and unkempt. The number of active entrepreneurs batik production and sell their business in the region is much reduced from about 65, now only 22, the rest do the processing outside Kauman batik. Kauman Village stems from Kawedanan Yogiswara / Kapengulon. Great Mosque and the surrounding land is called Earth Pamijen Keraton Keraton or Kraton Surakarta Domein. Kauman called Earth or Earth Mutihan Pamethakan the region should only be inhabited by the people (subjects of the palace) are Muslim. Lands autonomous / self-government, according to former Kepmendagri May 26, 1988 Number 593.82/1957/SJ according to the four letters A dictum BAL since 24 September 1960 have been removed and transferred to the state their rights, the land became state land and can be requested by anyone was eligible to be property rights (such information from Tondonegoro, Section Pasiten, 1998).

Name of villages in the region are given based on activity Kauman inhabitants, the village headman Pangulon the residence palace, the home as a residence Ketib Sememen Sememi, Modinan village is the abode of the muezzin. In addition there is the teteko village (Kampung Baladan, Brodiran, Gerjen, etc.). While the street names taken from the symbols of the greatness of Surakarta Palace is considered to have the power of sacred / magical, including street name and Kalimosodo Wijayakusuma, all have a sacred historical value, according to PB Biwadanata X revealed by Mandy Setyaningsih, 2000.

Currently there are differences in social and economic life is quite striking between Kauman people who live on the inside, with living on the edge of the road. People living in the inner, largely indigenous to livelihood as a trader or continuing batik parents. While people living on the edge of the road is generally of Chinese descent. Their house used to store / office.The potential of ancient buildings, batik and distinctive culture of the people who are not visible from the outside, closed shops and offices. This is one of the causes of Kauman less known by the public, efforts are needed to solve it so that people may be attracted to enter into this region. Kauman is the Old Village area that deserve to be preserved and developed into a religious and tourist village of batik with, among other reasons, first, an old village historic building complete with ancient artifacts, such as the Grand Mosque, Break, House and Home Ulema Abdi Dalem Batik is partly Entrepreneur of pristine and ready to be revived.

Second, people still adhere to the teachings of Islam. Tourism scholars and courtiers village of batik, a potential hallmark Kauman are not found elsewhere. Third, very closely related to the Surakarta palace. Development efforts could strengthen the existence of this village palace and the old villages around it.Fourth, located in the area of ​​trade and commercial offices so as to have the possibility of economic development easier and faster. Fifth, the fact that Kampung Kauman located in Surakarta Cultural Corridor (Palace-Gedhe Mangkunegaran-Market), which is a conservation area with priority handling. The sixth reason that the great interest of local communities in empowering its territory. This is evidenced by established / inducted Circle Kauman Batik Tourism Village on April 7, 2006.

Is a commendable effort and should be supported by all parties, interests of local communities to "revive" the glory of its territory. The idea is already getting positive response from the Government of Surakarta. The handling of this region should be implemented so as not to result in increasingly destroyed and the destruction of this region with huge potential.

Solo Batik Carnival

Solois famous as the city of batik. The city of Solo in Central Java also has a Solo Batik Carnival (SBC) which is not less glorious costumes. SBC successfully attracted thousands of spectators. SoloBatik Carnival held a carnival which confirms batik as an icon of Solo District. Village Laweyan and Village Kauman prove it. Batik has grown and evolved into a batik business in the small village for hundreds of years.The main costumes are made ​​from a luxurious and magnificent batik and colored lights, making the special performances of Solo Batik Carnival. SBC is followed by no less than 250 participants. Not just local participants, SBC is also enlivened by Miss Indonesia, among others,  Miss Environment, and Miss Tourism.Each year, SBC brings a different theme such as "Mask", "Flower of the world", and "Miracle Legend". These themes are then translated through the costume design of the participants that unique and creative. 'The style of classical batik' combined with 'contemporary batik' and decorated with beads and the crown, making the costumes more lively. Currently SBC continues to improve itself in order to become one of the carnival were taken into account in the international arena.

Implementation date SBC is always changing every year, but starting in 2009 SBC is always held in June.Started From Sriwedari Stadium, then pass through Slamet Riyadi Street eastwards towards Gladag roundabout, then turn left into Sudirman Street and will end at City Hall of Surakarta. The distance of more than 3 kilometers.The participants waddle in the street with a cool costume. Well the difference with the carnival in Brazil, there is no carnival participants which uses a decorated car. The parade conducted on foot.

SBC is one of the entertainment of the people who are very eagerly awaited, is evident from the enthusiastic crowd that came. Spectators who have been waiting for the carnival since the afternoon, immediately pushed into the middle of the road when the carnival begins.