A group of Stube HEMAT students visited the Sonobudoyo Museum, located at Jl. Pangurakan No. 6, Ngupasan, Gondomanan District, Yogyakarta municipal, Special Region of Yogyakarta (01/07/2025). Sonobudoyo is one of the largest and most comprehensive museums in Yogyakarta. The museum is associated with the Java Institute, a center for the study of Javanese, Balinese, and Madurese culture during the colonial period. The museum was officially opened on November 6, 1935, by Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono VIII, with the Candrasengkala (a symbol of "Kayu Wingayang Ing Brahmana Budha" [a symbol of the Buddha's Wood]).

The museum consists of two main buildings: the Thomas Karsten Building and the Hasta Brata Building. The Thomas Karsten Building houses objects and photographs from a historical perspective, arranged chronologically from prehistory to early colonial times. This building houses numerous manuscripts and exhibits on classical Javanese culture, as well as some Balinese and Lombok cultures. Unlike the Thomas Karsten Building, the Hasta Brata Building displays objects and photographs from a more anthropological perspective, focusing more on Javanese objects and culture.

Among the artefacts housed in this museum, the traditional Javanese clothing (beskap and jarik) has a fascinating history. The museum guide explained that these garments became a symbol of social stratification. One marker of this stratification is the motifs used. The beskap, with its brown-and-black striped motif (lurik), signifies those of lower social class or the lower middle class. This contrasts with the motifs used by the upper class or priyayi, which are more luxurious, floral, or plain, made from silk or other expensive materials and tend to have shiny colors.

Meanwhile, 'jarik' cloth has its motifs for each class. 'Parang' batik, for example, with a large 'parang' motif, may only be worn by the sultan, his consort, and their children. Meanwhile, small 'parang' motifs were worn by concubines and their sons and daughters. The lower classes were not permitted to wear batik or jarik with parang motifs. The lower classes tended to wear jarik with naturalistic motifs, such as leaves or flowers.

Museums are not places to store the past, but rather living spaces for cultural heritage that continues to speak from time to time. Seeing batik in the context of history and art opens our eyes to the fact that each motif is a trace of wisdom, hope, and beauty. Let us appreciate, study, and preserve it as a noble heritage to enrich the world.

1 https://sonobudoyo.jogjaprov.go.id/id/museum/sekilas, accessed July 9, 2025, at 1:55 PM.