Not Batik Rejects Bala, This Is The Difference Between Gringsing Batik Motives And Sasirangan Cloths Used By Sri Sultan When Meeting Jokowi

JAKARTA - Recently it went viral on social media, a moment when the King of the Yogyakarta Palace Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X met the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) wearing a batik shirt called a gringsing-motivated netizen, meaning that he refused reinforcements at the Kilen Palace Complex, Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

From application X, one of the accounts posted a moment as well as a statement asking what Sri Sultan meant to use the batik when he met former President Jokowi.

"BATIK TOLAK BALA. What do you mean by Sultan Jogya? Sultan meets Jkw using gringsing motif batik which means refusing reinforcements," wrote the X account @sub***, Friday (17/1/2025).

The post also invited a reaction from netizens. Some also questioned, there were also those who defended.

Yes, in the 1.5 hour meeting, the two of them were compact wearing patterned cloth. Jokowi with dragon batik motifs, while Sultan HB X wore a patterned cloth like a machete.

However, even though Sultan HB X is wearing a patterned cloth like a machete, it turns out that it is not appropriate to call it a gringsing batik pattern as written by netizens on the x account. It turns out that the clothes are Sasirangan cloth, not batik.

When the news surfaced, the Yogyakarta Palace immediately provided clarification.

"In the photo, Ngarsa Dalem (Sultan) wears a cloth like Sasirangan cloth or tie dye, not batik," said Caos Kagunan Kawedanan Kridha Mardiwa Karaton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, Dicky Firmanto to the media crew.

So, what is the difference between gringsing batik and Sasirangan cloth? Here's the review.

Gringsing Batik

gringsing Hill is a typical batik motif for Bantul Regency. Quoting an article in the DKB Journal entitled 'Gringsing Batik and Bantul Kembang Kates' by Noor Sulistyobudi, gringsing batik is known to have existed since the 16th century AD. The choice of colors and various designs that are interesting makes it a valuable asset in the Bantul area.

The name gringsing itself is defined as "healthy" or "not sick". Why? Because gringsing is compiled from two words, namely "gering" which means illness and "sing" which means no.

Batik ini adalah motif tanahan. Motifnya berupa isen-isen mata turuk atau roundan dengan diameter kurang lebih setengah cm. Roundaran-roundan yang berkian cepat seperti nest ini menjadi latar belakang. Motif-motif besar lainnya akan diletak di atasnya, seperti butterfly, bunga, hingga tumbuh-tuman.

Sasirangan Cloth

Quoted from Wikipedia, traditional fabrics originating from South Kalimantan that have been designated by the Ministry of Education and Culture as one of the 33 traditional fabrics of intangible cultural heritage in Indonesia. Sasirangan comes from the word sirang or manyirang which in banjar means bridging or sewing techniques using hands. The motive is made by seams with long-standing techniques.

Initially, sasirangan cloth was believed to be able to treat disease and expel evil spirits so that their manufacture was limited. But now, the production of sasirangan cloth has been expanded in various needs, one of which is the need for appearance.

Jokowi Batik

Meanwhile, during the meeting, Jokowi wore batik with dragon motifs. Quoting from the official website of the State University of Surabaya, the motifs of dragons and clouds are one of the most iconic in the role of Chinese batik. Dragon symbolizes strength, courage, and luck.