Discover Batik in Aceh

The Batik artisan in Aceh (photo: Antara)

The Pintu Aceh motif (photo: @Juno)

The flower of Bungong Jeumpa (Magnolia Champaca) as Batik motif inspiration in Aceh. (photo: e-indonesiana)

The Grace of Bungong Jeumpa

Aceh Batik craft was revived with a brand new approach, which represents Aceh’s identity through various cultural motifs and symbols. Aceh Batik motifs are loaded with great local wisdom and Islamic religious values. The motifs also promote tolerance in social life and contain religious teachings which are beneficial for human’s personal development.

Socio Cultural Aspects of Aceh Batik

Aceh Batik motifs are loaded with great local wisdom and Islamic religious values. The motifs also promote tolerance developed within the social life of the local society and contain religious teachings which are beneficial for personal development. Aceh batik reflects strong influence of Islamic values. It mostly emphasizes the motifs of non-living beings, such as plant tendrils, circles, and geometrical lines.

History of Aceh Batik

Though batik crafting is not the original tradition of Acehnese, Batik textiles are very popular and such artistic outfits were worn by local aristocrats during the era of Samudera Pasai Kingdom in the 13th century. Batik art was introduced through goods exchanges by traders who came from India, Persian, Gujarat, Java Island, and other regions.

Aceh Batik craft had experienced a decline during the 18th-19th Century. In 1980, Aceh Batik craft was revived with a brand new approach, the time when it represented Aceh’s identity through myriad cultural motifs and symbols.

Batik Motifs in Aceh

Find the meanings

Batik Villages in Aceh

local batik workshop

Batik villages are the region where the Batik producers mostly reside. You could buy the Batik textiles from the artisans and participate in the making process of Batik on the site.

learn more

Aceh

Visual Journey

in 1 Minute

Batik production in Aceh

The Veranda of Mecca

Aceh

The Lhoknga Beach (photo: @ampoens_teuku)

About Aceh

Aceh is known as one of the points where the spreading of Islamic teaching began in Indonesia and the region played an important role in the spread of Islam in Southeast Asia. In the early 17th century, the Sultanate of Aceh was the strongest and most advanced kingdom in the Malacca Strait. Until now the people of Aceh still adhere to Islamic law. It is strongly evidenced by the implementation of Islamic-styled governance and its social order.

Geography of Aceh

Aceh is located at the tip of Sumatra Island, the westernmost province in Indonesia with the capital city of Banda Aceh. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean in the west, the Bay of Bengal in the north, and the Malacca Strait on the east side.
Aceh had become the center of attention of the world during the disaster of the Indian Ocean tsunami on December 26, 2004, where hundred thousands people were killed in the disaster. (Photo: Mount Leuser, AcehProv)

Leuser UNESCO Geopark

Aceh has a UNESCO Geopark site for Sumatra’s Tropical Rainforest Heritage, known as Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP). The site was established along the Bukit Barisan, lining across Kutacane in Southeast Aceh to Ulu Masen in Aceh Jaya. Several international bodies contribute to the preservation of Sumatran Tiger, orangutans, and other rare species in the national park. (Photo Gunung Leuser)

Aceh Culture

Aceh is one of the main Halal Tourism Destinations in Indonesia. Aceh people are religious communities, it is advisable that the visiting tourists must respect the spiritual life, customs in the local area by wearing modest clothes, covering their shoulders and feet. Aceh has a number of historical tourism sites as the legacy of the Islamic Empire in Aceh that attracts travelers who seek for new spiritual experience and different cultural atmosphere.

Aceh Saman Dance is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2011. (photo: go.muslim)