Official Uniform Rule in Bojonegoro Strengthens Obor Sewu Batik Cultural Identit

RRI.CO.ID, Bojonegoro - The designation of Obor Sewu (A thousnad Torches) batik as the official uniform for civil servants of the Bojonegoro Regency Administration in East Java has successfully boosted the popularity of this distinctive motif, making it increasingly widely known among the general public.

This success has had a direct impact on the indigenous Samin community in Jepang Hamlet, Margomulyo Village, which is now not only flooded with orders but also has greater opportunities to introduce its noble values and historical teachings to a wider audience.

According to the successor to the elders of the Sedulur Sikep Samin community, Bambang Sutrisno, more than 50 people were once involved in the batik-making and sewing processes when demand was at its peak. Currently, around 30–40 people remain engaged in production.

As reported by infopublik.id, demand for Obor Sewu continues, averaging about one to two orders per day.

The garment adopts elements of the traditional attire of the Samin community in Bojonegoro, with Obor Sewu serving as one of its signature batik motifs. The motif is closely tied to the history and values upheld by the Samin community in Jepang Hamlet, Margomulyo Village, Margomulyo Subdistrict.

Bambang explained that the name Obor Sewu relates to the story of when Samin Surosentiko (founder of Samin community) gathered his followers using torches for illumination. The word “sewu” means a thousand or signifies a large number.

“The torch is a light, sewu means many. So the aspiration is for Mbah Samin’s teachings to illuminate future generations,” said Bambang on Monday, 28 September 2026.

He added that the philosophy of Obor Sewu carries the message that pitutur, or the noble teachings of the Samin community, should continue to serve as a guiding light for subsequent generations.

The values embedded in the motif include honesty, patience, acceptance, and trokal (keep pushing forward). Bambang explained that trokal represents an attitude of not giving up easily and continuing to strive in life.

According to Bambang, the use of Obor Sewu as part of the official uniform of civil servants has led to greater awareness of the motif among people outside the Samin community, including its history and accompanying philosophy.

“The impact has been extraordinary. After becoming the official uniform of civil servants, many people have become interested in the philosophy of Obor Sewu, the history of the Samin community, including the teachings and customs that we still uphold today,” he said.

The increased attention toward Obor Sewu has been followed by rising product demand. This activity has provided income for batik artisans in Margomulyo and tailors from several areas, including Ngraho Subdistrict.

Before its adoption as part of the official uniform of civil servants, Bambang said Obor Sewu was not widely marketed outside the community. Those wishing to obtain the products were directed to visit the Samin community directly in Jepang Hamlet.

“Previously, our concept was that Obor Sewu would not be sold in external markets. Meaning, those who wanted Obor Sewu had to come to the Samin community. Thus, wearing Obor Sewu became a source of pride, as proof that they had visited the Samin community,” he said.

Obor Sewu products used by the community include cloth priced at around IDR 160,000 (USD 8.89), udheng (headgear) at IDR 70,000 (USD 3.89), and shawls at IDR 40,000 (USD 2.22).

The introduction of the motif has also reached educational settings. According to Bambang, one university in Bojonegoro uses Obor Sewu shawls and udheng in new student orientation activities.

Obor Sewu has been registered as intellectual property under registration number 000160986. Its batik production is carefully managed to ensure continued involvement of the Samin Margomulyo community as part of efforts to maintain the motif’s authenticity and philosophical values.

When demand increased following the official uniform of civil servants implementation, some Samin community members who previously did not practice batik began learning the skill. A batik association in Bojonegoro temporarily helped meet production needs through a mutual agreement before production returned to the Samin community.

Samin culture has also been featured as part of the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) Bojonegoro process. During field visits, assessors toured the Samin community in Jepang Hamlet, observing the batik-making process, karawitan (traditional gamelan music), and learning about the local community’s history.

“They enjoyed the batik process, the karawitan performance, and the historical stories of Samin’s teachings,” said Bambang.

The growing use of Obor Sewu has opened broader opportunities for the Samin Margomulyo community to introduce their history and cultural values. At the same time, this trend supports the sustainability of residents’ economic activities based on batik-making and sewing skills. ***