Jelamprang, or jlamprang, is a classic Batik Pesisir (coastal batik) motif from Pekalongan, Central Java, with the production centre in Krapyak Village in North Pekalongan.

A Brief History of Jelamprang

Nobody knows the origins of the name of this batik. Some sources, however, cited that it was named after an extinct tree from the Krapyak Village.

Nevertheless, we certainly know the inspiration behind this motif. In the 17-the century, the traders came to Indonesia via the Northern coastal areas, such as Pekalongan, bringing trading goods, including cloth and textile. Among the hauls are patola textile, a silk, double-woven textile from Gujarat, India. These cloths were popular among the middle and upper class. Once, many business dwindled and there was shortage of patola textile. As a result, Chinese and Arabic traders then produce batik with patola’s geometric shapes.

Anatomy of Jelamprang

In general, jelamprang motif is a tesselation of two four-sided plane filled with detailed patterns expanding from the centre. The sides may be curved, almost forming a circle. As a whole, the two patterns are arranged to form an alternating cohesive motive that looks like a compass. As its name means, the whole cloth shows strength and is full of rigour. The colour are mostly bright and colourful, typical of a batik pesisir.

This motif is so popular that it becomes an inspiration for a famous batik pedalaman motif, batik nitik.

Cultural Significance of Jelamprang

The symmetrical pattern symbolises the harmonious relationship between a man with nature as well as a man with the higher beings. Like the original patola motif, Jelamprang features symbols from Tantric Hindu religion. The textile then became a sacred offering in an honour to Shiva, one of the three Hindu Trinity Gods.

Jelamprang is also considered as a ‘batik sakral’ – a sacred batik – a medium for expression which connects the mortal world with the immortal existence. An example is during a thanksgiving ceremony to the Master of the Universe, Nyadran, the sacrifice offerings include batik jelamprang. This is done in honour of the Keeper of the Northern Sea, Queen Den Ayu Lanjar.