Batik Today
Daftar Isi
On October 2, 2009, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Indonesian batik as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The education, science and cultural organization of United Nations insisted that Indonesia preserves their batik heritage.
Batik has long been Indonesian traditional clothes, since the kingdoms era. Though, batik or fabrics that have batik patterns are found also in Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, China, Azerbaijan, India, Sri Lanka, Egypt, even in African countries like Nigeria and Senegal. But in Indonesia, you will see batik as everyday life part of some people.
We The Homerie has several too, and consider to order custom one to use for traveling or making videos.
Each region in Indonesia has their own batik’s unique patterns. Relating to things in their daily life, which show up in the patterns design of nature, animals, flowers, human, folklore, and others. The culture always also influences the design. Batik from coastal cities of northern Java, for instance, has particularly vibrant color. It absorbs Javanese, Arabian, Chinese, and Dutch cultures.
Each region in Indonesia has their own batik’s unique patterns. Relating to things in their daily life, which show up in the patterns design of nature, animals, flowers, human, folklore, and others. The culture always also influences the design. Batik from coastal cities of northern Java, for instance, has particularly vibrant color. It absorbs Javanese, Arabian, Chinese, and Dutch cultures.
How to Make Batik
Batik is an ancient method of color dyeing. But actually, there is stamp batik and hand-made batik (called batik tulis). Making the second one is never easy. It involves a complex process with many hours of hard work. For giving you a big picture, this is how to make batik at a glance.- Design the pattern on the fabric.
- Ink that pattern with melting wax using canting. The canting is some kind of pen for making dots and lines on the fabric. It is roughly as big as a smoke pipe. The wax itself acts like a barrier to the color dyes and allows the color to stay while the remaining non-waxed fabric absorbs the dye.
- Remove the wax by soaking the fabric in hot water.
- Repeat the process of dyeing and waxing for enhance the color or add another color. Wax can be removed and re-applied several times to make classy and intricate design.
It's kind of complicated process. That's why person who make a batik is called craftsman. A batik craftsman, to be precisely. It is good activity for your kids, or even for you.
Yes, you can always buy batik in stores. It's a lot easier. The price is various. Each piece of batik shirt, blouse or skirt is worth from tens of thousands until tens of millions rupiah. It depends on the quality of design and fabric.
Batik today does not only mean outfit. Batik may be used for pillow tops, wall hangings, place mats, scarves, laptop and gadget coats.
Batik today does not only mean outfit. Batik may be used for pillow tops, wall hangings, place mats, scarves, laptop and gadget coats.