Developing the Motifs and The Strategies to Survive of Semarang Batik Creative Industries, in Semarang Central Java Province, Indonesia

History Departement, Faculty of Humanities, University of Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia.

^* Corresponding author: dewi_yulliati@yahoo.co.id

Abstract

This article presents the discussion on the efforts of Batik Semarang craftsmen in developing Batik Semarang designs and their resieliences in the time of covid-19 pandemic. The result of this research shows that Batik Semarang has been in existence for centuries. The existence of Kampung Batik in Semarang is the important evidence which shows that Batik Semarang has been already grew and developed together with the making and the growth of Semarang City. From this research, we can also understand that the designs of Batik Semarang can be differentiated in 2 categories, namely: traditional and contemporary designs. Until now in Semarang City there are several batik craft industries with the creation of motifs that are typical of Semarang. The result of this research also shows that the business of Batik Semarang always organizes in creative industry category, namely the business that is born from the batik crafsmen creativities in small industries which have about 4 – 20 workmen forces. Semarang Batik creative industries have never dismissed, they are still in existence until now. Thus, it can be concluded that the Semarang Batik Creative Industry is an important economic asset and Indonesian cultural heritage to support the livelihoods and lives of the people of Semarang City, so that its existence is always maintained and developed continuously for the sake of strengthening the creative economy of the people in this city and Indonesian cultural identity.