Home / Batik Regions – Central Indonesia – Kalimantan Island – West Kalimantan / Pontianak City
Cultural Destination
Embrace the spirit of the place!
Pontianak City
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.
Tourist Attractions in West Kalimantan
Equator Monument
As the main tower in Pontianak, the equatorial monument is crossed by a line that divides the
Betang Traditional House
The Betang house is the traditional Dayak Great House, and it contains a lot of its spiritual and
Kadriah Royal Palace
This is the place if you want to see cultural assimilation through architecture. Located in East Pontianak,
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
Discover
Indonesian
Batik
Motifs
Karawo Mahkuta
Mahkuta refers to Gorontalo’s traditional crown. It represents noble characters of
Gigi Haruan Lidi
The Gigi Haruan Lidi motif is taken from the name of the cork fish and is a symbol of
Gajah Way Kambas
The motif illustrates the Lampung’s natural reserve, the Way Kambas. it also symbolizes
Singayaksa
The Singayaksa motif comes from the name of a place where Sultan Hasanuddin used to
Wakatobi
It symbolizes the coastal beauty of the Wakatobi island and the symbol of Patra symbolizes
Salakanagara
Salakanagara batik motif illustrates the first kingdom in the Betawi land
Gonggong Siput
Gonggong (Strombus Turturella) is one type of sea snail found around
Cengkeh
The clove flower motif is the main commodity of the Tolitoli Regency. This motif represents
Gentala Arasy
Built as high as 80 meters, the tower also highlights the historical side of
Hiu Taliyasan
Indonesia is also home to the world’s largest fish, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus). Hiu Taliyasan refers to
Sandeq
Sandeq Boat is a symbol of the maritime importance of the West Sulawesi region. The greatness of
Pucuk Rebung Riau
Pucuk Rebung symbolizes heart determination in achieving goals, good luck, and
Ukir Sentani
The Ukir motif is a batik motif that is inspired by various traditional Sentani wood carvings
Paqbarre Allo
The word “Barre” means round and “Allo” means the sunlight. This motif is interpreted as
Biji Kopi
The coffee seeds motif illustrates the pride of local coffee specialities in
Gamolan
This motif illustrates Gamolan, a bamboo musical instrument of Lampung that is
Kerawang Tegak Aceh
The Vertical Upright (Kerawang Tegak) Motif symbolizes a person who has a strong
Daun Sirih
This motif illustrates betel leaves that are used by Lombok communities as traditional
Dayak Kamang
Kamang motif is generally found in the Dayak tribe shield because it is believed to
Dayak Taghol
Dayak Taghol has a distinctive style of four curved lines and small dots. This motif represents
Lipaq Sabe
Lipaq Saqbe contains a simple geometric classical motif with various flower decorations. This textile is
Teguh Bersatu
This batik motif shows the strength of the people of Kupang. It also represents a sense of
Lok Baintan Floating Market
As you can imagine, the most authentic thing is that you can buy things and even
Malinau Cultural Festival
You will witness a unique competition that might not be found other than in
Gurdo Solo
Gurdo or garuda bird is the mount of the Indian god Vishnu. As the Sun Bird,
Bultiya
The word ‘Bultiya’ is an acronym of the three major tribes in North Kalimantan, namely
Keluak Daun Pakis
The word “Keluak” is a Minang language which means twisted or tangled. The Motif of
Insang Ikan
Insang refers to the gills of the fish. This is a typical pattern of Malay ethnic who inhabits
Besurek Rafflesia
The term “Basurek” refers to a textile that contains letters or inscriptions
Tifa Totobuang
The batik motifs illustrate Maluku’s traditional music instrument called
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
Tikar Natuna
The Tikar Natuna motif is adapted from the traditional making of pandanus mats in
Manguni Minahasa
Manguni is identified as the symbol of the Minahasa people. Manguni is known as a
Gonggong Beruntun
This motif illustrates that a person should maintain a positive attitude and
Bekantan Pakis
This motif represents Pakis Haji (Polystichum setiferum), an endemic plant in
Kasih Tak Sampai
‘Kasih Tak Sampai’ is an idiom in the Indonesian language which refers to
Srimanganti
The name of the Srimanganti motif is derived from Palace’s hallway that connects to
Leuit Sijimat
This motif reflects the daily activities of the Baduy tribe in Banten. The main ornaments of batik motif consist of:
Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat motif represents the marine life at Raja Ampat archipelago in
Sekar Jati
Sekar means flower and Jati refers to teak trees that symbolizes a strong mental character that
Prada Papua
The word “Prada” in the Javanese-Indonesian dialect means a batik textile that
Kain Cual
Cual textile tradition has existed since the 17th century. The word “Cual” refers to
Pattimura
Pattimura is the name of an Indonesian hero who fought against colonialism in
Sido Mulyo
Sidomulyo is one of the classical motifs, which is specifically used for the bride’s costume in
Ake Patra
Ake is related to the divinity and the composition of the universe. It is a symbol of
Taiganja
Taiganja is a precious gold pendant that shows the social status of the Kaili family. It is
Rumah Mamuju
the Batik motif illustrates the house of Mamuju King with the stairs, located on the left of the wooden stage house
Ikan tambal
The word “Ikan” refers to fish. The philosophical meaning of Ikan Tambal means is
Parang Rusak
Another meaning behind this motif is an unconquerable spirit, symbolized by
Pohon Hayat (Tree of Life)
The Batik motifs in Lampung are dominated by the acculturation of Buddhist and
Tubo Kelapa
Coconut tree is a symbol of a good character and strong mentality. It illustrates the more success a person, the more
Parang Seling
Parang Seling or “alternating daggers” is a royal batik motif. It is a feminine variant of
Gumin Tambun
Based on Hindu mythology, this motif symbolizes lucks, abundant wealth, and
Jupri Kembang Teh
Kembang Teh illustrates the tendrils of tea plants that grow in the highlands of
Tenun Bima
The motifs are adopted from Bima woven textile. This pattern has received a great
Gedhog Kembang Waluh
a combination of Javanese cultural motif of the Majapahit kingdom (XII-XIV century) with
Tongkonan
Toraja’s traditional house is called Tongkonan. Tongkonan is a place for
Daun Lada Hitam
The black pepper motif represents the main commodity of Bangka Belitung
Daun Simpor
This motif is inspired by the Simpor plant (Dillenia Suffruticosa) which is a typical
Angsa Duo
According to legend, the Angso duo batik motif is a pair of swans that are believed to have led Princess
Awan Berarak
Awan Berarak is a combination of Dayak motifs and Malay patterns. The word ‘Awan Berarak’ means the
Pala Salawaku
This motif illustrates the unique weapons of the Maluku region, namely
Desa Na Tolu
The Desa Na Tolu characteristic pattern symbolizes the Batak philosophy of existence and
Bomba Mawar
This motif means sacred love for family, kingdom, and God; It also illustrates
Enggang Dayak
Local people beliefs that hornbills are an incarnation of the Commander of the Birds. It has supernatural
Honai
The Honai is inspired by the traditional house of the Papuan community living in
Pinawetengan
The Pinawetengan Batik pattern was taken from a prehistoric inscription in
Lontara
The Lontara script itself is a typical ancient script of Bugis and Makassar communities. History records that
Gorga Simeol-Meol
The Gorga Simeol-meol is a pattern of plant tendrils. it is regarded as a symbol of longevity and
Kawung
The Kawung motif was created by Sultan Agung Hanyokrokusumo (1593 – 1645) as a symbolic gift for
Tanah Liek
The word “Tanah Liek” refers to clay in Minang language. It is also known as