Historic Cirebon Flag Replica Showcased at Textile Museum Exhibition
- 11 Agt 2026 00:16 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- Jakarta Textile Museum is showcasing a replica of the historic Caruban Nagari banner from the Cirebon Sultanate.
- The exhibition highlights the banner's historical, Islamic, and artistic significance while preserving the fragile original artifact.
RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - A rare replica of the Caruban Nagari banner--once carried by Cirebon’s Sultanate in the battle against colonial forces in Sunda Kelapa, a strategic port in 16th‑century Java--is taking center stage at the Textile Museum’s anniversary exhibition “Menjaga Warisan untuk Masa Depan” (Preserving Heritage for the Future).
The flag, originally crafted in 1776 using hand‑drawn batik and adorned with Islamic calligraphy, bears verses from the Qur’an including the Basmallah, syahadat, and passages from Surah Al‑Ikhlas, Al‑An’am (verse 103), and Ash‑Shaff (verse 13), symbolizing divine help and imminent victory.
It also features the tiger of Ali and the sword Zulfiqar—icons of courage and spiritual strength rooted in Javanese‑Sundanese tradition and Persian influence. The tiger recalls Ali ibn Abi Talib’s title as the “Lion of God,” symbolizing bravery and guardianship, while Zulfiqar, his legendary double‑bladed sword, embodies justice and divine authority.
Head of the Textile Museum’s management unit, Sri Kusumawati, explained that the original flag, once wielded in 1527 by Fatahillah--the military commander who conquered Sunda Kelapa in 1527, renaming it Jayakarta, the origin of modern Jakarta--is preserved in storage due to its fragile condition.
“The original flag is still kept at the Textile Museum, stored away because it is too old to be displayed. In 2010, the museum created a replica, and that duplicate has been used for exhibitions on several occasions,” Sri said, as quoted by Antara.
The exhibition, running June 24 to August 30, 2026, also commemorates the museum’s 50th anniversary. The Cirebon flag has previously been immortalized in a 2008 postage stamp series “Sekilas Sejarah Kota Jakarta,” depicting Fatahillah alongside his cavalry.
By presenting this historic banner, the museum underscores how textiles and traditional crafts serve not only as cultural artifacts but also as enduring witnesses to Indonesia’s struggle and identity. ***
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