Endro Prakoso

A batik-making workshop in the Terogong area of West Cilandak in South Jakarta specializes on Betawi (native Jakartan) motifs called Kampung Batik Terogong. The home industry started years ago using print and hand-drawn batik techniques.

Siti Laila, who established the business, wanted to show that Jakarta also has batik motifs. She said it was difficult to make people believe that the Betawi people have batik motifs of their own.

“A businessman from Surakarta once came here to find out if the Betawi people really have their own motifs,” she said, referring to the Central Java city that is famous for batik.

Laila said Batik Terogong gained its fame after Miss Jakarta Maudy Koesnaedi, who is best known for her role as Zaenab in TV series Si Doel Anak Betawi (Doel, the Betawi Boy), ordered batik with the ondel-ondel motif. Ondel-ondel is a large puppet featured in Betawi folk performances, and it is an icon of Jakarta. That distinct motif has become known as the Ondel-ondel Maudy motive.

Most orders come from university students in Jakarta.

At her workshop, Laila opens her door to anyone who wants to learn about the batik craft, be they housewives or employees. [yan]