Get to know batik - the beginning

Batik – a traditional textile craft – was recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009. This textile qualifies as both intangible (the technique) and tangible (the textile itself) heritage. Visual inspiration from nature, customs, philosophy, and stories of Indonesia are translated into batik, using a surface design technique: wax-resistant dye. Batik differs from other wax-resist dye techniques due to the use of a tool known as a canting and copper stamps - which differentiate batik as batik cap or batik tulis. We have already covered some stories about batik caps; see eg. here.

While batik is often considered to define Indonesian culture, batik motifs can also depict Indonesian society in the era of the Dutch East Indies. Nowadays, batik has many functions due to its versatility: it can be used as both home decor and apparel, often being worn as a sarong. Batik became a high commodity and trendsetting in the 20th century– the ownership of many batiks was an indication of a high social position and was a form of investment.