National Football Teams from Malaysia and Hong Kong, China, Express Admiration for Kudus' Traditional 'Jenang' and Batik.

KUDUS – Under-16 women's national teams from seven countries have gathered in Kudus for the 2026 Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup. On the sidelines of the tournament, the Hong Kong, China U-16 women's team visited the Jenang and Gusjigang Museum, while the Malaysian U-16 women's team toured the Alfa Shoofa batik production house and gallery on Wednesday (Aug. 19, 2026).

The visit by the Hong Kong, China U-16 women's team began with an introduction to traditional jenang sweets at the Jenang and Gusjigang Museum. Players and officials explored the museum's collection and received a briefing on the history of jenang, its production process, and its significance to Kudus culture.

The Hong Kong, China team explored the history and production process of jenang, while also sampling the local delicacy. Meanwhile, the Malaysian team observed the Kudus batik-making process and tried their hand at creating their own designs.

Jenang: An Intangible Cultural Heritage

The visit by the Hong Kong, China U-16 women's team began at the Jenang and Gusjigang Museum. Players and staff explored the museum's collection and received a briefing on the history, production, and cultural significance of jenang in Kudus.

For the people of Kudus, jenang is a staple of local culinary history and tradition. Made from a base of glutinous rice, palm sugar, and coconut, the confection has evolved alongside the local community, with roots dating back to the era of Sunan Kudus.

In 2022, the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology officially designated Jenang Kudus as a piece of the nation's Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The museum also documents the rise of Jenang Mubarok, a brand founded by H. Mabruri and Hj. Alawiyah in 1910. The business began as a home industry with products sold near the Pasar Bubar Menara Kudus.

This history is preserved through the museum's exhibits, which include antique cooking utensils and dioramas detailing the development of Kudus.

Hesti Tri Hartanto, head of the Jenang and Gusjigang Museum, stated that the museum aims to do more than showcase jenang as a local specialty; it serves to educate visitors on the region's broader history, culture, and local wisdom.

“Jenang is synonymous with the culinary identity of Kudus. Our goal is for a broad audience, including international visitors, to learn about the history, culture, and local wisdom through the collections we have curated,” said Hesti.

According to Hesti, the museum’s collection provides visitors with insight into the evolution of jenang and its intersection with the history and culture of Kudus.

“As they tour the museum, visitors can explore the history of jenang itself, as well as the broader cultural and historical background of the Kudus Regency through our exhibits,” she explained.

Beyond the Jenang Museum, the athletes also explored the Gusjigang Gallery, which houses collections detailing the history of the spread of Islam in Kudus and the development of the local community.

Hong Kong, China Athletes Taste Jenang

For the Hong Kong, China U-16 Women's National Team, the visit offered a unique experience. They witnessed the production process of a traditional food rarely seen in their home country.

Wong So Han, assistant coach of the Hong Kong, China U-16 Women's team, noted that the atmosphere and culture they encountered were distinct from what they are accustomed to back home.

“This is a fascinating culture for us, as it is quite rare to see things like this in Hong Kong, China. It feels much more traditional here, and it is very interesting to learn about the production process,” she said.

Wong also expressed interest in the museum's collection, which highlights the religious heritage within the history of Kudus.

"The exhibition displays there are quite impressive to me. They illustrate a very strong religious side of Indonesia, which is both surprising and remarkable," she added.

Meanwhile, Danielle Leung, a player for Hong Kong, China, observed the jenang production process, noting that the craft requires significant effort and perseverance.

"One thing that surprised me is how much effort and dedication it takes for people to create this food and preserve its culture," said Danielle.

After viewing the collection and production process, the players were given the opportunity to sample the jenang.

Hesti stated that the athletes responded positively, describing the jenang as sweet and delicious. One participant even rated the tasting experience an eight out of ten.

For the players, tasting the jenang served as the highlight of the visit after learning about its history and production.

Kudus Batik Returns to the Spotlight

On the same day, the Malaysia U-16 Women's National Team visited the Alfa Shoofa Batik production house and gallery.

Before observing the production process, players and team officials received an overview of the history of Kudus Batik, which features long-standing influences from various cultures, including Chinese and Arabic.

From the 17th century through the 1940s, these culturally influenced batik motifs were integral to the identity of the Kudus community. However, from the 1980s to the 2000s, Kudus Batik fell out of favor and was increasingly relegated to the status of a cultural artifact.

Several once-flourishing motifs had nearly become extinct.

Alfa Shoofa is reviving Kudus Batik through authentic textiles and ready-to-wear apparel, introducing the traditional motifs and colors that define the style in modern, contemporary designs.

Fike, a manager at the Alfa Shoofa Batik production house and gallery, emphasized that direct exposure is essential to demonstrating the skill and labor behind every piece of batik.

"When visitors see the process firsthand, they realize that batik is more than just patterned fabric. There is a craft, a skill set, and a cultural narrative that must be preserved," Fike said.

Alfa Shoofa also hosts educational visits for students and interns to introduce the techniques of hand-drawn (tulis) and stamped (cap) batik.

From Sketching to Dyeing

Following an introduction to the history of Kudus Batik, the Malaysian delegation observed the production process.

The workflow begins with creating a pattern or sketch, which serves as the guide before motifs are applied to the fabric surface.

The players observed the use of a canting (a small, pen-like tool) and malam (hot wax). The canting is used to apply the wax onto the fabric, following the pre-drawn patterns.

The wax acts as a color resist, sealing specific areas of the fabric to prevent dye from saturating those sections during the coloring stage.

For those witnessing the process for the first time, the use of the canting and wax highlights the technical precision required to craft these intricate motifs.

The delegation also examined the cap technique. Unlike the manual canting method, this process utilizes a metal stamp to apply patterns onto the fabric.

The next stage is the coloring process. Once the patterns are set, the fabric is dyed.

Through this, the players witnessed the entire batik-making process, from sketching and using the canting and wax to the stamping and dyeing techniques.

Malaysian Team Tries Batik Making

The Malaysian team went beyond just observing; every member of the contingent had the opportunity to try making batik themselves.

Guided by instructors, the players utilized traditional batik tools, gaining hands-on experience with the fabric, canting, wax, and intricate pattern work.

For Lim You, a forward and the top scorer for the Malaysia U-16 Women's National Team, the activity was a novel experience.

"I think it's very fun and I really enjoyed it. It is also different because I have never done anything like this before," Lim You said.

The experience offered the players a firsthand look at the precision required for batik. Even simple lines and patterns on the fabric demand a careful, manual process.

The experience has inspired Lim You to encourage others from her country to visit Kudus.

"Come visit Kudus to have some fun," she said.

Kudus, According to the Malaysian Team

A visit to Alfa Shoofa left a lasting impression on the Malaysian players regarding Kudus.

Lim You described Kudus in three words: creative, distinct, and unique.

Meanwhile, Isabella Saffia O Luanaigh, a midfielder for the Malaysia U-16 Women's National Team, said that learning about a new culture was an enjoyable experience.

“I think learning a new culture is very enjoyable. It’s also an experience to see different things, as it shows there is still so much to learn,” said Isabella.

When asked to describe Kudus in three words, Isabella chose beautiful, extraordinary, and amazing.

She also plans to share her experiences with her friends once she returns to her home country.

“I will tell my friends back home how beautiful this place is,” she said.

Sports as a Gateway to Cultural Exchange

The visit by the U-16 women's national teams from Hong Kong, China, and Malaysia highlights how sports can serve as a platform to introduce local culture to international participants.

The players traveled to Kudus to compete in the Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026, taking time between matches to visit sites that showcase local products and culture.

The team from Hong Kong, China, learned about *jenang* through its history, museum collection, production process, and tasting experience. The Malaysian team explored the history of Batik Kudus, observed its creation, and tried their hand at the craft.

Fike, a manager at the Alfa Shoofa Batik production house and gallery, believes that hosting sports events with participants from diverse regions and countries creates significant opportunities to promote Kudus's culture.

“Sports events draw people to Kudus. When they visit and discover our batik, it provides us with an opportunity to introduce the culture of Kudus firsthand,” she said.

According to Fike, the experience of observing and participating in the batik-making process leaves visitors with knowledge they can take back to their home regions or countries.

Meanwhile, Hesti, head of the Jenang and Gusjigang Museum in Kudus, views the arrival of participants from various regions and countries as a vital opportunity to promote local educational and culinary tourism.

“This event has a significant impact on various sectors, from culinary to educational tourism. We hope that international tournaments or events will be held regularly in Kudus Regency each year, bringing positive results for us as hosts and for our local tourism potential,” she said.

The Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026 did more than just bring teams from seven countries together on the field; it also provided a platform for local cultural and business representatives to introduce Kudus directly to international visitors.

Visits to the Jenang Museum and Alfa Shoofa enriched the players' experience during their stay in Kudus. From learning about jenang to trying their hand at batik, the athletes gained firsthand insight into the local culture that defines the Kudus community.

For local cultural figures and business owners, the presence of international participants served as an opportunity to showcase the potential of Kudus. The Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026 transcended the competition between seven nations, creating a platform for teams to engage with and appreciate the local culture of Kudus. (JMY/REDMKK/mainkekudus)