Batik, World Heritage from Indonesia

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As World Heritage, Batik Indonesia is a painted fabric material made by certain Indonesian traditional methods using ‘Malam’. The process of making Batik goes in a certain way that creates the uniqueness of the local culture.

Batik for Traditional clothing

Initially, only the king, royal family, and kingdom workers use batik. People start to know Batik since the workers lived outside the palace.

Soon, many people imitated making batik. Initially, only women did batik activities to fill their spare time. Later on, it became their permanent job. Right now, anyone can try to do batik art.

Starting point of Batik entering global market

No one can say for sure when the first time Batik was initiated. However, it has been around since the Majapahit era.

Foreigns found out about batik since the second president of Indonesia, Soeharto, introduce it. In the mid-’80s, he gave batik as a souvenir for state guests. Not only that, but he also wore it while attending a UN conference which made batik even more famous.

Since the inauguration of batik as Indonesia’s cultural heritage on October 2, 2009, the development of batik in Indonesia has grown rapidly. Various kinds of batik with new motifs and patterns with more attractive colors are increasing.

Batik in current era

At the beginning of its appearance, traditional Javanese nuances, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism form batik motifs. Manual process using canting used to create those motifs. This process called “Batik Tulis.

Along with technological developments, Batik stamps made using stamps speed up the process.. However, this process has less artistic value. Therefore, Batik Tuls is more expensive than the stamped one.

In the hands of Indonesia’s leading designers, batik is able to become a masterpiece in the international fashion world. They usually participate in various world fashion weeks for exhibiting their batik fashion works.