Passing the Heritage

In Indonesia, intergenerational transmission of batik-making knowledge is vital in sustaining this cultural product as an intangible cultural heritage (ICH) element. In Ciwaringin Batik Village, Cirebon Regency, this process is rooted in familial inheritance and advances through collaborative efforts involving the government and the private sector. This study, which aims to map the dynamics of intergenerational knowledge transmission and identify forms of collaboration that support the regeneration of batik craftspeople, employs an ethnographic approach to gain in-depth insights into craft regeneration practices. Data were collected through field observations and semi-structured interviews with internal stakeholders (batik craftspeople, cooperative leaders and advisors, and gallery owners) and external ones [Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) representatives and cultural figures]. The findings reveal four primary mechanisms that operate in this regeneration in Ciwaringin: exposure to technology (social media), structured training and education provided by CSR programs and government initiatives, and direct mentoring within families and by batik gallery owners. These four models give rise to four conceptual pillars: technology utilization, strategic partnerships, economic resilience, and informal education. It is a multi-actor collaboration that has proven effective in preserving the batik tradition amid shifting social and economic conditions. The study underscores how intergenerational exchange becomes a significant means of cultural preservation and a strategy for adaptive and inclusive development. It contributes to the discourse on sustainable craft by proposing a community-based model that integrates cultural continuity, economic viability, and generational engagement.