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Pekalongan Batik Museum is one of the historical sites in the civilization of Pekalongan City that needs to be in your tourist destination, guys....
Pekalongan Batik Museum. It is located in the Jetayu Cultural Area, adjacent to the Al-Ikhlash Mosque, Batik TV, and is still in the same area as GKI Pekalongan, and the oldest POS office in Pekalongan City.
Before I take you on a virtual trip to the Pekalongan Batik Museum, let me introduce you first, let's take a quick look at Pekalongan City.
From the royal era, Batik has become the breath that supports the people of Pekalongan. It can almost be said that the livelihoods of the residents of Pekalongan City are mostly dependent on Batik.
From the manufacturing process, almost all Pekalongan residents are involved. Even I still remember very well how the scent of the night melt soared. Or the sound of canting dancing on the cloth, and a wooden brush during the dyeing process. All done manually.
Batik is not only about livelihood, but about work and togetherness.
One piece of Batik Tulis or Batik Cap, requires the involvement of skilled hands. From the first stage, manually draw on the fabric to be made batik. Then given a stroke of wax as a color barrier. After the dyeing stage is complete, the cloth will be boiled to remove the wax, this process is usually known in the community as nglorot.
Indeed, in ancient times, Batik was only used by people in the kingdom. However, over time, Batik began to be used by every group.
In the 2017 MSME seminar in Pekalongan City that I attended, it was stated that 70% of batik production in Indonesia came from Pekalongan City. Most of them are marketed domestically and are also exported abroad.
Well, finally on July 12, 2006 President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono officially inaugurated the Pekalongan Batik Museum.
Okay, don't be bored, Guys... so that it's not too complicated, let's just go to the Pekalongan Batik Museum.
Welcome to the Batik Museum of Pekalongan City
After this pandemic, the Pekalongan Batik Museum will only open again on September 1, 2021. This time I went to the Batik City museum with my friend, Vega.
You will be greeted warmly by Mr. Amat, the receptionist. The entrance ticket to this museum is very cheap. Only five thousand rupiah for adult.
This Batik Museum building was previously the Pekalongan City Government Office. At the entrance before the reception, you will find a living room, and an audio-visual room. Right, next to the reception, there is a large door that is directly opposite the main entrance. Room 1, let's go in.
Room 1
In room one, displays the batik process, from plain fabrics commonly used for Batik, batik tools, batik dyes, and crafts that can be made from Batik.
The most interesting thing here, I also found a batik tool with an unusual stamp. Usually in the field I only see stamped batik made of copper and wood. But unexpectedly, it turns out that there is also a stamp made of paper, you can imagine how complicated it is to make this stamping tool!
Room 2
In exhibition room 2, displays the diversity of batik motifs in Indonesia and abroad. We will find cultural motifs of Yogyakarta, Solo, Sumatran, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali here. The diversity of motifs that are typical of several regions in Indonesia, shows the richness of Indonesian culture.
Batik motifs from outside are horrified in this room, there are Batik motifs from India, Srilanka, and Malaysia.
Room 3
In the third room, we find a variety of Pekalongan Batik motifs that are unique in their colors and patterns. Jlamprang Batik motif, for example, this motif is influenced by Indian culture. This Jlamprang motif is usually made in the Pekalongan area called Jlamprang.
Besides Jlamprang, in room three also displays the Buketan Batik motif, which was influenced by the Dutch, and the Hokokai motif which was influenced by China.
The Museum As If Saying, Batik is a Fabric that Tells a Story
The unique thing in the Pekalongan Batik Museum is the age of the Batik fabrics themselves. A very old-fashioned manufacture but still a great value with stunning color clarity and outstanding pattern strokes.
The year of batik making is also different, some were made in the 1930s, some were made in the 1950s and millennials.
When I visited there, the weather was quite hot. However, the existence of a garden and a small fountain in the middle of the museum building makes the museum look cooler and more beautiful.
If we continue to walk east after room 3, we will meet the Library room and the Workshop Room.
Well, after walking around enjoying the beauty of various Batik motifs, you must be tired, right, you can stop by the canteen, buy a drink or a snack. Next to the canteen, the toilet is also clean and fragrant.
At the end of our visit, we stopped at the Dekrasnada (National Crafts Council) of Pekalongan City. This Dekrasnada is at the back of room 1. You can buy souvenirs typical of Pekalongan here, which are MSME products from Pekalongan City.
Mr. Nasrul will be happy to answer your questions about the handicrafts produced by the Pekalongan SMEs. Handmade products that are cute and have high artistic value can be used as an alternative for someone's gift too. Be it clothes, t-shirts, table cloths, knitting bags, batik bags, wallets, and so on.
Okay, Guys... when are you going to visit the Batik Museum of Pekalongan City?
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first and last photo taken by Vega with Xiaomi Poco M3, other photos taken by me with HP Oppo A37f