Identity Exhibition in Batik Motifs of Ebeg and Pataruman

As an intangible cultural heritage acknowledged by UNESCO on October 2, 2009, batik has to be preserved as well as developed in Indonesia. Consequently, most cities in Indonesia have designed their batik motifs exhibiting their identities with cultural and natural excellence. This article discusses how Banjar City in West Java, Indonesia, is exhibiting its identity through batik motifs of Ebeg and Pataruman. Ebeg motif is derived from Ebeg dance, a traditional dance popular in the east border of West Java, posing transcendental values with specific rituals before the performance. The other motif, Pataruman, is derived from tarum plants whose leaves serve as natural indigo color. Being the iconic motifs of Banjar batik, the Ebeg motif exhibits the identity of Banjar as a city of religious people believing in the almighty power as well as acknowledging different human powers. As exhibited by the tarum plant, the motif Pataruman denotes the identity of Banjar city as a city prepared to provide other regions with mutual benefits.