Cultural Destination

Embrace the spirit of the place!

The Gate of Pontianak City (photo: HelloPontinesia)

Pontianak City

It is the capital city of West Kalimantan, also known as the “Equator Zero”. There are a lot of things that tourists can do in this city, like hiking, visiting the Equator Monument, Baning Forest tourism site, and tasting excellent local dishes. This city is inhabited by three different ethnicities with distinctive cultures, namely Dayak, Malay, and Chinese descendant communities that have blended together over the centuries. Such cultural blends could be seen in its architecture, textile, and gastronomic heritages.

Cultural Tourism Destination

Pontianak City

Tourist Attractions in West Kalimantan

West Kalimantan

Batik Motifs

Insang Ikan

Insang refers to the gills of the fish. This is a typical pattern of Malay ethnic who inhabits

Dayak Kamang

Kamang motif is generally found in the Dayak tribe shield because it is believed to

Awan Berarak

Awan Berarak is a combination of Dayak motifs and Malay patterns. The word ‘Awan Berarak’ means the

Tidayu

The name of this motif is the acronym of three ethnics namely,

 

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Indonesian

Batik

Motifs

Gamolan

This motif illustrates Gamolan, a bamboo musical instrument of Lampung that is

Daun Simpor

This motif is inspired by the Simpor plant (Dillenia Suffruticosa) which is a typical

Tabir Tanjung

Tanjung flower is a type of Cherry tree flower, which is commonly found in

Jumputan Bintang

The word Jumputan means the tie-dye technique, while the word “Bintang” refers to

Tangerang Herang

Tangerang Herang motif is a symbol of Tangerang city. The Tangerang Herang batik motif consists of

Tifa Totobuang

The batik motifs illustrate Maluku’s traditional music instrument called

Besurek Rembulan

This batik illustrates praise for God who created the wonderful universe

Wirasat

Wirasat or divine inspiration is a gift from God. This inspiration is symbolized by

Insang Ikan

Insang refers to the gills of the fish. This is a typical pattern of Malay ethnic who inhabits

Tampuk Manggis Sasirangan

The motif illustrates the philosophy of the mangosteen fruit, which is

Barong Bali

The Barong refers to the mythological animal with supra-natural

Kuda Kupang

Horses symbolize wealth. It contains noble values of virtuous characters that bring

Bomba Mawar

This motif means sacred love for family, kingdom, and God; It also illustrates

Kasih Tak Sampai

‘Kasih Tak Sampai’ is an idiom in the Indonesian language which refers to

Alam Pantai

The word “Alam Pantai” refers to the natural beauty of

Sero Tangga

The Sero Tangga illustrates an endearing feeling and sacrifices of a person to fulfil

Parang Seling

Parang Seling or “alternating daggers” is a royal batik motif. It is a feminine variant of

Prada Papua

The word “Prada” in the Javanese-Indonesian dialect means a batik textile that

Pintu Aceh

The motif is inspired by Aceh’s traditional architecture that has

Kuda Sepasang

For the people of Kupang, having a strong horse is a matter of

Daun Lada Hitam

The black pepper motif represents the main commodity of Bangka Belitung

Tengkawang Ampiek

With its many advantages, the Dayaks use this leaf in ritual ceremonies. This plant is a symbol of

Pala Salawaku

This motif illustrates the unique weapons of the Maluku region, namely

Honai

The Honai is inspired by the traditional house of the Papuan community living in

Cengkeh

The clove flower motif is the main commodity of the Tolitoli Regency. This motif represents

Rutun Penyu

This motif describes the local wisdom which favours modesty and

Abimanyu Prince

This motif implies a hope that the wearer will have the wisdom of

Teluk Tomini

This motif illustrates the beauty of underwater life in

Kaganga Tanah Rejang

If Batik Besurek combines Arabic calligraphy motifs, then the Kaganga batik takes

Ukir Sentani

The Ukir motif is a batik motif that is inspired by various traditional Sentani wood carvings

La Galigo

La Galigo is a literary work of the Buginese Epic that has 300 thousand epic lines. It is considered even

Singayaksa

The Singayaksa motif comes from the name of a place where Sultan Hasanuddin used to

Desa Na Tolu

The Desa Na Tolu characteristic pattern symbolizes the Batak philosophy of existence and

Tongkonan

Toraja’s traditional house is called Tongkonan. Tongkonan is a place for

Biji Kopi

The coffee seeds motif illustrates the pride of local coffee specialities in

Waruga

Minahasa batik motifs are adopted from Waruga. Waruga is the

Pati-Pati Pinehiku

It symbolizes the hierarchy in society and the social status of the Mekongga

Merak Lasem

The peacock is considered to be the king of the birds. It represents

Kamaro Timika

This motif is inspired by sacred symbols of Kamaro communities in

Tanah Liek

The word “Tanah Liek” refers to clay in Minang language. It is also known as

Mahkota Siger

Siger is the crown of a noblewoman in ancient time. It is a symbol of femininity, strength, and

Kerawang Datar

This motif symbolizes the embodiment of of religious values for

Bunga Raye

Raye Flower motif also represents a wish for

Burung Bidadari

Bidadari birds are endemic birds in Halmahera. This motif represents an

Dayak Taghol

Dayak Taghol has a distinctive style of four curved lines and small dots. This motif represents

Leuit Sijimat

This motif reflects the daily activities of the Baduy tribe in Banten. The main ornaments of batik motif consist of:

Merak Ngeram

The hatching peacock motif has a very deep meaning which refers to the sacrifice and

Salakanagara

Salakanagara batik motif illustrates the first kingdom in the Betawi land

Dayak Kamang

Kamang motif is generally found in the Dayak tribe shield because it is believed to

Pucuk Mekar

This motive reflects the joy and gratitude to God over the grace of

Gajah Way Kambas

The motif illustrates the Lampung’s natural reserve, the Way Kambas. it also symbolizes

Kaharingan

The Kaharingan or ‘tree of life’ based on the Dayak tribes’ belief system. This tree symbolizes

Teguh Bersatu

This batik motif shows the strength of the people of Kupang. It also represents a sense of

Desa Na Ualu

The Gorga motif of Ualu Village is the symbol of the eight cardinal

Awan Berarak

Awan Berarak is a combination of Dayak motifs and Malay patterns. The word ‘Awan Berarak’ means the

Gajah Mungkur

Semantically, it means a huge longing emotion trapped in the

Rasamala

The Rasamala Batik motif is associated with a story when the Dutch came

Kalo Sara

Kalo Sara is a sacred motif for Tolaki ethnic. It is considered as

Jupri Kembang Teh

Kembang Teh illustrates the tendrils of tea plants that grow in the highlands of

Mega Mendung

Mega Mendung signifies the cloud. This motif means to stay

Taiganja

Taiganja is a precious gold pendant that shows the social status of the Kaili family. It is

Banji Cirebon

The Banji motif is the symbol of protection and

Rangkiang

The word “Rangkiang” refers to the rice granary in the Minangkabau language. It symbolizes

Sekar Jati

Sekar means flower and Jati refers to teak trees that symbolizes a strong mental character that

Angsa Duo

According to legend, the Angso duo batik motif is a pair of swans that are believed to have led Princess

Peresean

The Peresean is a game that sometimes some kinds of magic are

Pantai Ambon

Ambon city batik depicts the natural wealth and marine life of

Gentala Arasy

Built as high as 80 meters, the tower also highlights the historical side of

Samudra

This art painting means to be strong-willed person to pursue

Karawo Pinang

Pinang refers to the Palm areca tree. This motif is considered as the original

Kerawang Tegak Aceh

The Vertical Upright (Kerawang Tegak) Motif symbolizes a person who has a strong

Ake Patra

Ake is related to the divinity and the composition of the universe. It is a symbol of

Jagung

The philosophy of the corn motif illustrates the dream and

Hiu Taliyasan

Indonesia is also home to the world’s largest fish, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus). Hiu Taliyasan refers to

Tikar Natuna

The Tikar Natuna motif is adapted from the traditional making of pandanus mats in

Bale Lumbu

This motif signifies the welfare of the ancient Sasak society. Bale also symbolizes the

Asmat Papua

The batik motif illustrates the Asmat’s sacred tribal motifs that are

Lontara

The Lontara script itself is a typical ancient script of Bugis and Makassar communities. History records that

Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat motif represents the marine life at Raja Ampat archipelago in

Tifa Papua

This motif was derived from traditional Papuan musical instruments,

Ikan tambal

The word “Ikan” refers to fish. The philosophical meaning of Ikan Tambal means is

Lok Baintan Floating Market

As you can imagine, the most authentic thing is that you can buy things and even

Enggang Dayak

Local people beliefs that hornbills are an incarnation of the Commander of the Birds. It has supernatural

Besurek Rafflesia

The term “Basurek” refers to a textile that contains letters or inscriptions

Tenun Bima

The motifs are adopted from Bima woven textile. This pattern has received a great

Gumin Tambun

Based on Hindu mythology, this motif symbolizes lucks, abundant wealth, and

Manguni Minahasa

Manguni is identified as the symbol of the Minahasa people. Manguni is known as a

Kain Cual

Cual textile tradition has existed since the 17th century. The word “Cual” refers to

Wakatobi

It symbolizes the coastal beauty of the Wakatobi island and the symbol of Patra symbolizes

Srimanganti

The name of the Srimanganti motif is derived from Palace’s hallway that connects to

Pohon Hayat (Tree of Life)

The Batik motifs in Lampung are dominated by the acculturation of Buddhist and

Sido Mulyo

Sidomulyo is one of the classical motifs, which is specifically used for the bride’s costume in

Buketan Bali

The Balinese bouquet (Buketan Bali) is a floral arrangement and the name is

Sandeq

Sandeq Boat is a symbol of the maritime importance of the West Sulawesi region. The greatness of

Keluak Daun Pakis

The word “Keluak” is a Minang language which means twisted or tangled. The Motif of

Gedhog Kembang Waluh

a combination of Javanese cultural motif of the Majapahit kingdom (XII-XIV century) with

Pattimura

Pattimura is the name of an Indonesian hero who fought against colonialism in

Awan Larat Riau

This motif is usually associated with gentleness, wisdom, and

Sekomandi

Its philosophical meaning is the eternal union which refers to a saying “until death do us part”

Kawung

The Kawung motif was created by Sultan Agung Hanyokrokusumo (1593 – 1645) as a symbolic gift for