Exploring Local Potency

for Waropen Batik Design

The desire to be independent as an entrepreneur became a meeting point between Stube-HEMAT, as a human resource development institution with Youth and Sports Office of Waropen Regency, Papua, which sent its youth to learn batik and productive businesses based on batik in Yogyakarta on July 2-4, 2019. The meeting of these two institutions cannot be separated with Roni Kayai’s role who had attended Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta training when he studied in this city around 2006.

The distance and a long journey of more than 24 hours to Yogyakarta did not dampen their desire. "We want to learn batik in Yogyakarta and have entrepreneurial knowledge so that our youth will be independent and able to develop entrepreneurship in our region," said Enos Refasi, S.Sos, Head of the Youth Division in Youth and Sports Office of Waropen regency during the opening session of the training.

Participants began their exposure by visiting Yogyakarta Batik Museum located on Dr. Sutomo street no 13 A, Bausasran. With great attention, they listened to the museum staff explanation of the history of batik in Yogyakarta, Surakarta and on the north coast of Java which was influenced by other nations. Initially batik was used only by certain groups but now common people can use it. They also observed batik motifs that imply hidden messages or prayers from the creator and the users. For example an appropriate motif and moment, like ‘Sidoasih’ motif which is worn at the wedding, and ’Gringsing’ motif which is used when people are ill.

Equipping them with desriptions of local potencies that can be promoted as batik motif, Stube-HEMAT brought participants to visit ‘Manggala’ batik studio in Kulonprogo. Pak Surasa, the owner, welcomed and expressed his pleasure to have a visit from Waropen youth. He invited them to observe various batik collections, the unique ‘Gebleg Renteng’ motif of Kulonprogo, abstract motifs and motifs with certain figures, the process of pouring wax, making patterns, and shedding wax. "We develop handmade batik and stamp batik because we want people from all levels to be able to use original batik. It's weird if we have batik heritage but cannot buy because its expensive price. So, we innovate to reduce production costs so that the prices are affordable. In addition, we promote batik to outside Java, such as Kalimantan, Sulawesi and even West Papua," he said.

Kampung Batik Giriloyo, which has long been known as the center of traditional batik was the next place of learning. Said Romli (the person in charge for marketing division of the community) and Isnaini Muhtarom (Chairperson of Batik Giriloyo Community, as well as the head of the village) welcomed the participants and delivered an introduction, "Giriloyo batik center actually supports thousands of people in this area. This association gathers dozens of batik studios in Giriloyo so that they have competitiveness in the market and this gallery is a showroom to display collections of batik that mostly uses natural dyes," he explained.

When practicing batik the participants seemed awkward in puoring wax, but slowly they could do it even though wax droplets hit on the fabric. It is natural because it is the first time of practicing batik. The final step was coloring and shedding wax, and finally became their first work.

Many experiences in Yogyakarta provided participants with ideas of designing motifs for Waropen type. Finally, several batik motifs of Waropen ornaments appeared on the last day before returning to Papua.

Youth is identical with enthusiasm to learn new things. Hopefully, those will enable them to develop, to be independent and to contribute in advancing their region. (TRU).