[navigasi.net] Kerajinan - Batik Pesisir - Pekalongan

Since the Dutch colonial days, Pekalongan known as “Kota Batik” or “Batik Town” and Pekalongan known for its most famous “batik tulis” or “hand drawing batik”. However, in recent years, there are not many “batik tulis” producers, due to the growing competition from the cheaper “batik cap” or “stamped batik” which can be produced quicker and cheaper.

There are many type of batik tulis produced in Pekalongan, however one of the famous is called “batik pesisir” (literally means: coastal batik) that managed to find its way back to the glory days once it’s enjoyed. However, it had gone through many changes in its motives (designs) and coloration, to satisfy the consumer’s demands. The quality and indeed price a good Batik Pesisir depends on the fabrics and the so called “difficulty factors” and these factors also determines the length of time in the production process and in the end all go to its final price. The making of Batik Pesisir could take 1 to 6 months and the prices vary accordingly, between Rp 1 Million to Rp 6 Million.

The biggest production centers of Batik Pesisir is located in Kemplong, Wiradesa. The writer visited one of the biggest producer of Batik Pesisir. “Butik Failasuf” in Kemplong, Wiradesa, accompanied by a charming gentleman, Mr Taufik Hidayat, happens to be the Butik’s Marketing Coordinator.

The process of making Batik Pesisir start with the type of the fabrics, it is normally made of: Pure Cotton or Polyester Rayon or Pure Silk. The raw fabrics are boiled in order to clean it from the auxiliaries applied in the process of making it from the textile factories.

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After this boiling process, the fabrics is dried and ironed and send it to the design room, for the initial drawing of a particular motives. Fabrics with drawing on it are sent to the waxing process. In this section, we can see many young girls put the wax on the drawings depending on the coloring process.

The process of making a batik tulis is delicate and indeed complicated. The process of coloring can be back and forth many times, depending on the motives of the batik and the number of colors needed to be applied. The longer the process, the more expensive the price of the batik is.

It was interesting and indeed fun watching the girls applying the wax according to the drawing so quick yet with absolute precision. The way the girls handled the “canting” or “the wax writing instrument” is quite different from one and another, as if it is different the way people holding the pens when writing.

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During the wax writing process, after the girl putting the wax liquid in the writing compartment, it seems necessary to blow air to the pipe, in order to push any air bubbles that may still be there, that will block the flow of wax in the pipe. It was a great fun to see the girls blowing air to the pipe

PThere are so many motives of Batik Pesisir, namely: the the Dutch motives (design), apparently is still popular these days. Equally so the Chinese motives (design). Interestingly enough, the Japanese motive (design) still hold a faithful customers as well ...

While it sad to see, but perhaps it is also a blessing, to see those young girls working. These girls normally drop out from Junior High School and have to find job to support the family. They earn around Rp 9.000.- or less than US$ 1.00 per day, yet they seem very happy and smile never leave their beautiful and innocent faces

God’s presence is everywhere and HE works mysteriously.