Solo Batik Carnival

Launched in 2008 in Solo City (Surakarta City) in the Central Java province of Indonesia, the Solo Batik Carnival is an annual celebration of Indonesian heritage.

During the parade, models present elaborate, colorful costumes made from traditional batik cloth. Wearing the costumes, the presenters dance a traditional number in the streets while accompanied by music.

Indonesian batik, recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2009, is made using a manual wax-resist dyeing technique. Traditional colors such as dark brown, white, and indigo are representative of the three major Hindu gods. Those familiar with the patterns of batik can determine the royal lineage of a person based on the cloth he or she is wearing.

Batik is a craft that has high artistic value and has become part of the culture of Indonesia (especially Java) for a long time. Javanese women in the past made their skills in batik for a living, so in the past batik work is exclusively women’s work until the discovery of ‘Batik Cap’ which allows the entry of men into the field.

Various regions of Indonesia have their own unique patterns—flowers, nature, folklore, animals—that often take their themes from everyday life.

Batik fabrics and patterns can also be found in Japan, China, Malaysia, Egypt, Singapore, and several other countries.

The types of batik are: 1. Batik Kraton 2. Bati sudagaran 3. Batik peasant (petani) 4. Batik Dutch (Belanda) 5. Batik China or Chinatown (Pecinan) 6. Javanese batik Hokokai 7. Batik buketan 8. Batik lasem 9. Three domestic batik (Batik Tiga Negeri).