PITHE UNWRAPPED
Truntum, A Love Story Written
by A Woman, for Women
The story of Batik Truntum can be read as an allegory for what Javanese women face within patriarchal structures—whether in royal courts or ordinary households. The name "Truntum" itself comes from a Javanese word meaning “to bloom” or “to shine again after darkness.” Its origin is tied to a poignant tale of a royal couple—Kanjeng Ratu Kencana and Paku Bukowono III. The story goes that the king drifted away from the queen, considering
taking another wives, as they could not bear a child. Kanjeng Ratu Kencana
then sought solace in the practice of batik-making.
The stars within the Truntum pattern—representing resilience and strength. Throughout the process of making this pattern, Paku Buwono III did get back to her. The irony behind the beautiful pattern makes Truntum a beautiful, realistic story of romance in many cultures.
Truntum is a batik pattern worn during a wedding ceremony by the bride and groom’s parents. When worn by the bride and
groom’s parents, it gives meaning that the parents show the path to their children by shedding lights for them to walk.
In today’s Indonesia, Batik Truntum continues to serve as a powerful symbol of feminine solidarity. Many women, from artisans to activists, wear and produce Batik Truntum as a way of celebrating not only their heritage but also their ongoing struggle for gender equality and recognition. Truntum has found new meaning in the present day as a symbol of women's resilience, love for herself, and continuous growth, echoing the same qualities of
the queen who created it during her tumultuous time.
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