The history of Besurek Bengkulu batik

Helloindoensia.id – Cultural wealth in Bengkulu can be said to be so many and varied. One of them is Besurek batik cloth which is a typical cloth from Bengkulu. The origin is called Batik Besurek because this batik uses motifs that read Arabic calligraphy. Besurek is a Bengkulu dialect Malay language which means written or written.

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Whereas, a number of Besurek batik cloths were first introduced by Arab traders and Indian workers in the 17th century to the people of Bengkulu. As its development, the art of making motifs on the fabric is combined with Indonesian traditions that are characteristic of Bengkulu. Based on Bengkulu City PPKM Cooperative Office data, Besurek Batik began to be produced by craftsmen since 1988. Elly Sumiati and Doni Roesmandai are two Batik Besurek crafters who are the pioneers of Besurek batik in Bengkulu.

The influence of Islam on Bengkulu Besurek batik cloth decoration is so thick. The motive is usually only in the form of bare Arabic letters that have no special meaning – except for some types of cloth, especially for traditional ceremonies. In addition there is a combination of flora and fauna motifs – which have been stylized to their original forms no longer recognized – as a symbol of the relationship between humans, nature, and the Creator.

Formerly the use of Besurek batik cloth was initially limited to traditional ceremonies such as used for bridesmaids (the distar / hat typical of Bengkulu) at weddings, for the bride-to-be shower / showering / filing / night gazing inaicuri, grave pilgrimage in a series of graves wedding ceremony, sampiran bridal chamber, baby shaving swing decoration, corpse cover and so forth.

The development of besurek cloth in Bengkulu so far is so rapid. Getting attention from the Regional Government and the local community, its use is no longer limited to celebrations or traditional ceremonies. But it has been used for various purposes such as official clothing, private clothing, party clothing, Muslim clothing, daily clothing with modifications to the design of motifs and modification of fashion designs.

• Calligraphy motif
  This motif is a motif taken from calligraphy letters. Batik Besurek for traditional ceremonies that read Arabic letters that can be read and have meaning, but mostly only in the form of decorations similar to Arabic letters that have no clear meaning.

• Relung paku motif
  This motif illustrates the state of plants and the state of animals. Often used for traditional baby shaving ceremonies.

• Rafflesia Motif
  Arnoldi Rafflesia Flower which is a typical flower of Bengkulu. Rafflesia motif is arguably the main motif of besurek cloth after calligraphy.

• Quau Bird Motif
  Quau bird motif illustrates the state of the animal. This type of motif was used in a wedding ceremony in the past, namely at the grave pilgrimage.

• The Moon Motive
  The moon motif illustrates that everything in this world is the creation of God Almighty. This motif is used in a series of weddings, namely in the event shower (bath).

You also have to know that the local government is now keen to introduce besurek batik cloth at the national and even international level. Introducing the Besurek batik cloth has been carried out by the local government with many annual event events such as the Besurek batik cloth festival, Expo and others. In addition, according to current developments, batik makers have also improvised by combining Besurek batik fabric motifs in today’s clothing and accessories.

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