Home / Batik Regions – Central Indonesia – Sulawesi Island – North Sulawesi
Facts of the region
Discover Batik in North Sulawesi
The Batik Bercerita or Batik Storytelling Gallery in Manado, North Sulawesi (photo: Sulut Daily)
The variety of Batik textiles, North Sulawesi (photo: Wale Batik Minahasa)
The Manguni Bird (Otus Manadensis), as one of Batik motif inspirations in North Sulawesi (Photo: @Wikipedia)
The Wonders of Minahasan Spirits
Minahasa is a regency in North Sulawesi. This region is famous for the beauty of its woven fabric and their batik. The pattern of Minahasa Batik adopts ancient letters and typical ethnical motifs. Those motifs showcase the cultural values and traditions that are reflected in the social life of the Minahasa community.
Socio Cultural Values of Batik in North Sulawesi
Minahasa Batik represents the local wisdom of the Minahasa community. One of the most famous batik motifs is the waruga motif. This motif illustrates the graves of the Minahasa ancestors, as a reminder of Minahasa people to remember the existence of their ancestors and believe in their presence.
Batik Motifs in North Sulawesi
Batik Villages in North Sulawesi
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.
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Visual Journey
in 1 Minute
Batik production in north Sulawesi
The Kingdom of Marine Paradise
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Bunaken Marine Park (photo: @Pesona Indonesia)
About North Sulawesi
North Sulawesi Province is one of the 10 Indonesian’s priority tourist destinations. Many international-scale events such as WOC (World Ocean Conference), Sail Bunaken, Tomohon Flowers Festival are held in this region. The local government organizes interesting annual cultural festivals highlighting traditional ceremonies and cultural heritage such as Figura Festival and Tapikong. North Sulawesi Province is famous for its motto, “Si Tou Timou Tumou Tou” which promotes mutual respect and to live graciously by empowering others.
Facts about North Sulawesi
North Sulawesi Province is an area located on the Sulawesi island. The Capital city of North Sulawesi is Manado. The population of North Sulawesi in 2017 was 2,461,028 people. It borders the Republic of the Philippines to the north, the Maluku Sea to the east, Gorontalo Province to the west, and Tomini Bay to the south. This region has 627 coastal villages & 1,037 countryside villages. The native ethnics inhabiting the region are Minahasa, Bantik, Borgo, Mongondow, Ponosakan, Ratahan, Sangir, Talaud, Tambulu, Tonsawang, Tonsea, Toulour (Tondano).
Lokon mountain is an iconic volcanic mountain, located in Tomohon, North Sulawesi (Photo: @Pesona Indonesia).
Highlights on Culture
One of the ancient kingdoms in North Sulawesi is the Kingdom of Bowontehu which was established in the 13th Century. Later in the 15th-16th Century, the Siau Kingdom reigned in the region and co-existed with some other small kingdoms such as the Bowontehu Kingdom, Bolaang Mongondow, Bintauna Kingdom, Bolaang Kingdom, and the Manado Kaidipang Kingdom. In 1523, the Portuguese arrived in Manado city. Since then, some areas of the North Sulawesi were colonized by several western colonials (Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch) until the 19 Century.
One of the intangible cultural heritage preserved by the local community is the Kabasaran Traditional Dance. This traditional dance is performed in the sacred ritual and local ceremonies (photo: Lensa Pena).
Tourist Attractions in North Sulawesi
