Peranakan Batik: Cultures Connection in Indonesia, Malay Peninsula, and Thailand

Abstract

           Pesisir batik (Coastal batik) is one of the batik categories in Indonesia besides Vorstenlanden batik (Surakarta and Yogyakarta). One type of batik that is included in Pesisir batik category is Peranakan batik. This batik also has its uniqueness that is not inferior to the Vorstenlanden batik. Peranakan Batik is produced mainly by Chinese Peranakan entrepreneurs who live on the north coast of Java. All batiks produced outside Solo and Yogyakarta are included in the Pesisir batik category. Foreign cultures influenced many of the Peranakan batik motifs because of the large number of migrants who conduct business ventures then settle in the coastal areas, making Peranakan batik proof of the fusion of multicultural cultures in Indonesia. The characteristic of this batik is having a combination of pesisir and Vorstenlanden patterns, such as the bouquet/buketan style, hong (phoenix) motifs, roses, tulips, peonies, butterflies, and animals (Chinese, Dutch and Javanese motifs) which are popular on the north coast of Java. Peranakan batik is also a popular choice for Chinese Peranakans, also known as Baba and Nyonya in Malaya Peninsula, who live in Indonesia, Penang Malaysia, and Phuket Thailand. Most of whom come from well-known, well-educated, and wealthy Peranakan circles. One of the reasons for these tight family ties between Peranakan communities in different regions because of marriage alliances and business relationships. The colorful Pekalongan batik, another type of Peranakan batik, with a combination of Dutch-influenced bouquet motifs also known as Nyonya batik in the early 20th century, was favored by Chinese Peranakan Nyonyas. This research will focus on Peranakan batik produced in the late 19th century to the early 20th century. With the historical research method, the researcher conducted literature reviews from various sources of books, journals, and online material to find why Peranakan batik is the choice for Chinese Peranakan Nyonyas.