Trusmi Batik, The Legacy of Cirebon Culture

Last year, UNESCO recognized batik as world Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity from Indonesia. This traditional piece of cloth painted with colorful pattern is full of life philosophy. Almost every region in Java and Sumatera Island has different type of batik. Cirebon, a city in the northern coast of Java also has its own specialty.

What is Batik?

The word batik is thought to be derived from the word 'ambatik' which translated means 'a cloth with little dots'. The suffix 'tik' means little dot, drop, point or to make dots. Batik may also originate from the Javanese word 'tritik' which describes a resist process for dying where the patterns are reserved on the textiles by tying and sewing areas prior to dying, similar to tie dye techniques. Another Javanese phase for the mystical experience of making batik is “mbatik manah” which means "drawing a batik design on the heart".

In the past, Indonesians, mostly adults, wear batik only at formal events. Nowadays it has become increasingly popular even among the younger generation with batik factories starting to manufacture more wearer-friendly and fashionable batik outfits.

Many office workers now wear batik on a daily basis, while local designers compete to produce more attractive designs.

While batik originated in Javanese courts, several other regions in Indonesia also have their own styles of batik. The fabric is also widely worn in countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Cloth painting in this fashion originated in the 9th century in Central Java. For centuries, only members of royal families can wear this beautifully painted cloth. However, it then became public fashion and spread all over Java and Sumatra Island.

Batik patterns are divided into two big groups, the royal and coastal motifs. The royal motifs are dominated with brown, dark brown, black, brownish red, yellowish brown or white color and the painting must adhere to some approved philosophical pattern that had not changed for centuries. This kind of batik usually wore on formal occasion or by royal families. The second group, the coastal motifs are more colorful with playful natural pictures.

Cirebon’s Batik

Local batik production in Cirebon is centralized in Trusmi, a village 5kms from the city centre. Around 1000 batik artist work in or around the village. Trusmi Batik is mostly coastal styled, although some royal motifs are also available as there are 4 kingdoms in Cirebon that still exist to date. One of the most famous royal motifs is the “Singa Wadas” that describe a worshipped royal lion (singa means lion in local language).

Like any other coastal batik, the motif of Trusmi batik is heavily influenced by sari, India’s traditional cloth brought by trader and also by some pattern introduced by the Dutch during the colonial era and the Chinese. Chinese influence are shown by the appearance of pictures of dragons, and some creature from Chinese mythology such as phoenix and qilin, a quardian lion.

http://www.visitbandung.net/arts/trusmi-batik-the-legacy-of-cirebon-culture.html

Forget History of Bandung City Government, made Struggle Mall Hotels

A number of Members LVRI Looks Sad Because Bandung City Government changed the Building Parking Area Historical So for a Mall. Bandung City Government started to forget history.

This was the case in which the members Legium Veteran Republik Indonesia (LVRI), Bandung, Monday (20 / 9) went to the former hotel building Graha Harapan Eka Kepatihan located on No. 14, Bandung.

They all admitted admitted concern over the attitude the Government of Municipalities (local government), which amended the building which had become a place declaration Bandung Lautan Api (BLA) is a parking area to a mall.

"This is a struggle, declaration venue Bandung Lautan Api" says Euis Resmini (81) one member from among the women LVRI, Bandung.

Dozens of ex-combatants, the history seems to really hit the summit just random. It appears from his eyeballs looked tears.

They are at times struggle to come to the place it once. "This place, formerly very secret. So no careless person can enter, this is a special area" he said.

Meanwhile, other LVRI members deplored the attitude of Bandung City Government pushes it without dismantling the structure and change it with a parking lot. He said the municipal government ought first by a member confromed LVRI. LVRI comes with wearing a uniform complete. And they were powerless to resist such sad shape when seen from near the building's history that changed shape.

"It was the headquarters of the army. Here the idea to burn the city of Bandung fighters appear, "he began the story.

Euis admitted into the hotel a few times when given the task of Colonel Nasution. Hope Hotel is the secret headquarters of the army. "The prisoner is entered here has not come out again, a direct shot here," said Euis.

Bandung Shopping Guide

Bandung is very popular and known as a shopping city, or Kota Wisata Belanja. There are many lots of shopping spots in Bandung. Bandung Shopping the right place for shoppers where you can find and buy clothes, shoes, handbags and souvenirs in Bandung. Since Bandung has otonomy right to build their own city, they now build lots of shopping center, The fashion stores now grow so fast, they sell various stuff like quality clothes, and rejected export products which is alot cheaper rather then the price in the malls. You also can find Distro (distribution outlets). Distro is an interesting place to shop in Bandung because they produce their own fashion design which is very unique and cannot be found in other shopping place. There are also several factory outlet shops around Bandung. The shops are mainly found along the streets of Juanda (known as Dago area), Cipaganti area, Martadinata Street (known as Riau) and Cihampelas street. Bandung Shopping is one of the primary attractions for Indonesians visiting Bandung. The other reason is culinary food.


Where to Shop in Bandung?

* Alun-alun area (city square) is surrounded by shopping centers, particularly on Dalem Kaum Street. Facility: Shopping center (available for bargain), food court, mosque.

Cihampelas Bandung

Cihampelas or popular called as The Street of 1001 Jeans is best known for jeans. You can find denim (jeans) stores along the street. Here you can buy literally any type as well as any size of jeans, in addition to a very large selection of casual wear, all at very reasonable prices. The jeans here are mostly copies. The shops here boast huge fantastical statues of comic book or movie characters on their roofs and shop fronts such as Superman, Goku, Rambo and others.

Cibaduyut Bandung:

If you have sometime to explore shopping in Bandung, you can try to go to Cibaduyut. Cibaduyut is the center of shoe sellers. The statue of two bronze shoes at the beginning of the street conveys it all: shoes of all sorts and sizes make up the bulk of what this street sells. If you are keen on shoes and like a bargain, Cibaduyut street will both satisfy your feet as your wallet. To get there, either take a taxi or hop on one of the angkots that states Cibaduyut, and get off past the shoe statue. Most of the branded shoes might not be the real thing even though, many still are of good quality and it is hard to tell if it concerns the real thing or not. Other than that most shoes are Indonesian brands, again of good enough quality and economically priced.

* Factory outlets: Mostly Factory outlets are concentrated along the streets ofJuanda (Dago), Cipaganti, and Martadinata (Riau). You can just walk along the streets. Such as The Summit Factory Outlet and Herittage Factory Outlet which are located at Martadinata (Riau) Street. Just ask away how to get there.

* Distros (Distribution Outlets) are a new phenomenon in Bandung where a shop sells stylish products that were made by local designers. They are served as a distribution store, because these local designers do not have their own marketing label yet. One thing that makes distros stand out from factory outlet is that distros come from individual designers and young entrepeneurs, while factory outlet products come from a garment factory.
Some of Bandung distros: EAT, Jl. Trunojoyo 4, Invictus, Jl.Pager gunung 13 and Jl.Trunojoyo 6 also you can check their website www.invcts.com Ouval Research, Jl. Buah Batu 64, No Label, Jl. Sumatra 24, etc.

Note: be careful when buying in distros as the prices are increasing to a level almost the same as at boutique shops.


Mall and Shopping Center in Bandung :

Bandung ELectronic Centre (BEC)
Purnawarman Street
Facility: Electronic, Computer & Hand phone retails, food court.

Bandung Indah Plaza (BIP)
Merdeka Street
Facility: Shopping center, food court, cafe, cinema

Bandung Super Mall (BSM)
Gatot Subroto Street
Facility: Shopping center, food court, cafe, cinema

BE-mall
Naripan Street
Facility: Facility: Electronic retails, food court

Braga City Walk
Braga Street
Facility: Shopping center, food court, cafe, cinema

Bandung Trade Center (BTC)
Pasteur Street
Facility: Shopping center (available for bargain), Food court

Cihampelas Walk (Ciwalk)
Cihampelas Street
Facility: Shopping center, food court, cafe, cinema, billiard, nightlife

Hyper Square
Pasirkaliki Street
Facility: Outdoor Food court, discotheque, FO, Ruko

IBCC (Istana Building Commodities Center)
Ahmad Yani Street
Facility: Electronic center, Food court

Istana Plaza
Pasirkaliki Street in Pajajaran area
Facility: Shopping center, Food court, Cafe, Ice skating

ITC Kebon Kelapa
Moh. Toha Street, Pungkur are
Facility: Shopping center (available for bargain), Food court

Kings Shopping Center
This is a very popular shopping spot for local shoppers
Kepatihan Street
Facility: Shopping center (available for bargain), Food court, Cinema

Palaguna
It is one of old shopping center in Bandung
Dalem Kaum Street
Facility: Shopping center (available for bargain)

Paris Van Java Mall
Sukajadi Street
Facility: Shopping center, Food court, Cafe, Cinema

Pasar Baru
Otto Iskandar Dinata or known as Otista Street
Facility: Shopping center (available for bargain), Food court

Planet Dago
It's in front of Indmaret supermarket, there you can find a popular Cafe "O la la"
Juanda Street, Dago area
Facility: Shopping center, Bowling, Food court, Cafe

Plaza Dago
There you can find many of mobile/cellphone sellers
It's also near to the popular mall in Bandung, BIP.
Dago/Juanda
Facility: Shopping center, Cafe, Food court, Karaoke, Billiard

Premiere
Cihampelas Street
Facility: Shopping center, Food court

Below are some interesting places and shops to find or buy souvenirs and arts.