The Art and History of Cirebon's Batik in Trusmi Village

TheIndonesia.id - Kampung Batik Trusmi is the center of Batik industry in Cirebon, West Java. Batik is a technique of wax-resist dyeing applied to whole fabric, or fabric made using this technique. The fabric is made by drawing dots or lines with a spouted tool called a canting.

UNESCO designated Indonesian Batik as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Each place in Indonesia has its distinct pattern of Batik. For example, Solo, mainly features one typical style of Batik Keraton or Royal Batik, while Pekalongan focuses on Batik Pesisir or Coastal Batik.

Quoting the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Batik Cirebon features both styles of Batik. Like Solo or Pekalongan, Cirebon's classic royal batik styles have been developed by the royal palaces (the Kasepuhan and the Kanoman ). In contrast, the coastal Batik emerged from trade and fishing communities that brought their motifs and style. 

There is a Batik Village in Cirebon named Trusmi. It is located 4 KM west of the center of the city. Here, you can find 1,000 batik artisans who work daily to produce the Batik. Not only the villagers, the community nearby - Gamel, Kaliwalu, Wotgali, and Kalitengah - also work to create the Batik. 

Along the 1.5KM main road, you will find rows of Batik Trusmi stores and showrooms lining up the streets, showcasing their most well-made products.

Batik Trusmi Village is believed to be initiated by an Islamic religious leader named Ki GedeTrusmi. He was a loyal follower of Sunan Gunung Jati (one of the Walisongo or 9 Guardians of Islam who spread the religion on Java Island). 

Ki GedeTrusmi was believed to teach the community the art of Batik while spreading Islam across the region. Through that, his name was used as an honor to be the village's name. Until the recent days, he remains highly respected by the local community. His tomb is well preserved, and every four years, the Trusmi villagers conduct a ritual called Ganti Welit and Ganti Sirap or changing the roof of the tomb.

Cirebon's Batik's ornaments are classified into five patterns; Wadasan, Geometric, Pangkaan (Buketan), Byur, and Semarangan.

Wadasan is the classic ornament of Cirebon batik that mainly highlights the royal batik style. The motifs of Wadasan are the Mega Mendung (Clouds), Singa Payung (lion covered by umbrella), Naga Saba (dragon), and Taman Arum, which motifs are largely influenced by Chinese empirical designs. 

The geometric motifs are Tambal Sewu, Liris, Kawung, and Lengko-lengko. As the names suggest, the geometric ornaments mainly feature lines and geometric shapes.

The Pangkaan or also known as Bungketan ornaments, feature floral variations such as trees or flowers. Motifs included in this ornaments are Pring Sedapur, Kelapa Setundun, Soko Cina, and Kembang Terompet. 

The Byur is recognized with flowers and small leaves that fill the textile entirely with motifs such as Karang Jahe, Mawar Sepasang, Dara Tarung, and Banyak Angrum. 

The Semarangan ornament features repetitive motifs placed in specific patterns. The motifs of these ornaments are called Piring Selampad, Kembang Kantil, and more.