Exploring the Philosophical Values of Rifa'iyah Batik Form with 'Pelo Ati' Theme

Abstract

”Batik Rifa'iyah” is a fine art product that can be categorized as a rare batik. This kind of batik is produced by batik craftsman communities which is located in Kalipucang Village, Batang, Central Java. Ahmad Rifai (1786-1870) is a figure who had an important role in Islamic propagations to enhance knowledge, aqeedah, character and moral life in Kalipucang society. One of Rifai's propagations was ”inserted” through batik visualization, and because of his strong influence also, Rifai’s name was taken as the name of a batik, namely: 'Batik Rifa'iyah'. To find the meaning in a batik work, the research focused only into the batik’s form concerning to its colors, shapes and patterns. To facilitate the initial search, it was done by inventorying the quantity of forms that always appear in several types of rifa'iah batiks, which a number were approximately 30 themes. ”Pelo Ati” was one of the batik titles chosen for the study of aesthetic principles and artistic methods. It was considered as one of batiks which has a philosophical value that the source came from Tasawwuf/Sufism teachings of Ahmad Rifa'i. To know further about Ahmad rifai teachings, it was done by studying the books written by him, namely Tarajumah and Riayatul Himmat. The form of batik 'Pelo Ati' from its colors and the visual object sides shown that it was very special and different from other batiks in the North coast of Java Island.