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CONFERENCE PROGRAM AND ICGCS 2021

ABSTRACT BOOK

Gender, Culture and Religion

The Role of Women in Craft of Batik Trusmi Cirebon

Ira Adriat

Institute of Technology Bandung

Batik is Indonesia's cultural heritage. Cirebon especially in Trusmi Plered is the center of

batik making. This study analyzes the role of women in the craft of Batik Trusmi

Cirebon. The purpose of this research is to understand the role of women in craft of

batik Trusmi, which has lasted for decades. The method used is qualitative and theory

of self-actualization and theory of culture. In the self-actualization theory of Abraham

Maslow states if a person will pursue the peak of self-actualization after fulfilling basic

needs such as the need for food. Women in a patriarchal culture are always under the

dominion of men. Important decisions are made only by men. Women in Batik Trusmi
Cirebon have an important role as batik makers, industry managers, and industry

owners. The dominant role of women in the batik craft is because the process of batik,

especially written batik, requires perseverance in the production process. Tenacity is

one of the characteristics of women. In addition, the market share of batik is generally

women, so the leaders in the batik business are mostly women. It can be concluded

that the role of women is very dominant in the batik craft in Trusmi Cirebon. The

existence of women in the industry is generally not to pursue self-actualization, more to

fulfill basic needs in the family. The patriarchal culture that is part of the Cirebon

society emphasizes that women work in the batik industry as a duty to carry out

household activities. This is because decisions in the family are determined by men

Keywords: Batik, Trusmi Cirebon, Women

Short Biography:

Ira Adrianti has been a lecturer at FSRD ITB since 1995. Her researches are related to gender issues in
visual arts, art as therapy, and Indonesian traditional arts. Publish some books: Perahu Sunda (2005),

Perempuan Perupa Dunia (2007), Wellbeing Dech! (2020), Selflove (2021), and Aktualisasi Diri Perempuan
Perupa Indonesia melalui Instagram (2021).

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