Batik is integral to Indonesian culture, the official pattern, and the country’s pride. The word itself means a cloth with dots. It describes how the cloth design is made by inking it with tiny dots into a beautiful pattern.
On my last day in Yogyakarta, I went to several batik shops to get something pretty and original for my Amma.
The Art of Batik Making
The first one I went to had a batik maker working through a half-done pattern. We chatted for a while; she was curious about my origin as I was about her work.
There are specific tools used to draw Batik. However, it’s pretty traditional, and the ink has a distinct aroma.
I asked her how long it takes to make a whole cloth. “2 weeks”, she calmly answered. TWO WEEKS?!! Batik making is a hard job and more complex art to master. Therefore, both patience and tenacity are needed, among other things.
Back to Batik
Unlike now, when I was younger, it wasn’t a part of a regular person’s wardrobe back in Indonesia. There weren’t many people who wore or even had it, especially not the youngsters. My only Batik was my high school uniform, worn every Friday.
It has become popular again in the past decade thanks to the former government regime, which actively educated the public, including implementing Batik Friday, encouraging office workers to wear it to work on Fridays. And sometime later, the private sector informally modified it to Batik Thursdays instead. So that we can still wear casual Friday clothes on Fridays. At least, that’s the case in our Indonesia office.
Batiks for all
I returned home with a few batiks from Yogyakarta and gave them to my Amma, niece, and friends. They all loved it. I also got a scarf for myself, with a Kawung pattern, which used to be reserved only for the royal family. I will wear it often overseas to showcase the richness of Indonesian culture.
It’s a good feeling, partly proud and part appreciative, to wear a traditional local art as a daily fashion statement.
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[…] Batik The Official Pattern Of Indonesian Culture […]
[…] I have a lot of respect for Indonesian designers, particularly the ones who use local sources, integrate local arts and promote Indonesian culture. And I might be slightly biased, but there are so many Indonesian artists who are incredibly talented with not enough recognition both locally and internationally. Get your shopping and feel good about by supporting the local economy while traveling. Buy a souvenir for people back home. If food is not an option, you can go for Batik, the traditional Indonesian cloth. […]