Batik is a cultural heritage of the Republic of Indonesia that has been officially recognized by UNESCO. The diversity of motifs and its uniqueness make batik one of the cultural attractions owned by people throughout Indonesia. Each region from Sabang to Merauke has batik with motifs that depict their respective identities, including batik from Papua. October 2 is the commemoration of National Batik Day. To celebrate this special day, Papuan Indigenous Women of Jayapura Regency held a seminar as a means of discussion about how people should love batik with its various motifs while also showing their love by using batik in everyday life. The seminar was also attended by representatives from the Jayapura Regency Government.
Papua has distinctive batik patterns and motifs. Bright coloring with asymmetrical symbols is a characteristic of the batik motifs produced by Papuan batik artists. The Cenderawasih bird as a local bird endemic to Papua is a motif that is often applied in batik. In addition to the Cenderawasih bird motif, there are several other motifs that are typical of Papua. Starting from batik with the Asmat motif, the name of which is taken from one of the largest tribes in Papua, namely the Asmat Tribe. The Asmat motif has a depiction of a wooden sitting statue and is usually brown. In addition to the motif from the Asmat Tribe, there are other batik motifs, namely from the Karomo Tribe, so it is called the Karomo motif. The characteristic of the Karomo batik motif is its striking colors such as green, red, and yellow to depict the landscape in Papua as well as a symbol of the courage of the Papuan people. Another batik motif from Papua is a motif originating from Jayapura Regency, precisely in the Sentani area, so it is called the Sentani motif with the characteristic of a circular log groove image. For several sacred events such as weddings, the batik motif that is often used in Papua is the Prada motif.
The existence of a seminar on batik from Papua in commemoration of National Batik Day is expected to be one of the steps forward for the community in an effort to preserve the national cultural heritage. The many batik motifs originating from Papua should continue to exist and should not be extinct in the future. One way is of course to use batik both in formal and non-formal events.
The Jayapura Regency Government also reminded the public to participate in preserving Papua’s typical batik. Moreover, Papua is famous for its culture that can invite tourists to visit. Preserving batik with typical Papuan motifs can support the economic activities of the community and help improve welfare by producing batik and then selling it as a typical souvenir for tourists who come to visit Jayapura Regency. The government is also ready to help all the needs of Papuan batik artisans.