Step 7 of 16

Booh

The Booh runs along the bottom edge of the sarong. When we take a look at the motif in the kepala, we can see the leaves and flowers pointing down. This makes it look like the motif was printed upside down – you would expect climbing flowers in the kepala. This misprint shows up in all six cloths.

The question is whether this was a stylistic choice or a subtle protest of the Javanese makers. Or are the batiks made in the Netherlands with existing caps, but used incorrectly out of ignorance? The rest of the sarong is designed correctly, although it is rhythmically a little boring. The smaller flowers that fill the kepala make up three neat rows, something you rarely see on batiks.