4 Things You Need to Know about Balinese Batik

Bali is known for its huge variety of souvenirs and mementos, many of which, such as the unique Batik Bali, are ethnic and unique. If you plan to visit Bali or are already in Bali, getting an exotic garment could be a great idea. You can show off your batik to your family, relatives, and colleagues at home as proof that you indeed have visited Bali. Why can Balinese batik so special? Here are four interesting things that you should know about it.

It is one of the most modern textile arts in Bali.

Although Balinese batik can be regarded as an exotic fabric that can truly represent Bali’s cultural beauties, it is actually one of the most recent arts in Bali. The first known commercial production of Balinese batik occurred in the 1970s when Pande Ketut Krisna from Batubulan Village in Gianyar introduced the art of batik-making in Bali. Before the fabric became popular, other types of exotic Balinese fabrics, such as Poleng and Songket, had already become Bali’s trademarks for centuries.

Balinese batik looks unique.

Although batik-making in Bali is considered a modern art that becomes popular since only about five decades ago and its development is mostly influenced by batik’s birthplaces in Java, Balinese batik does have a distinctive look. In fact, it already has several different patterns and motives that give it a unique identity, such as Singa Barong and Buketan. Visit any batik Denpasar shops to observe the different motives of Balinese batik that clearly distinguish it from its Javanese counterparts.

It is available in various types of finished products.

When you buy Balinese batik, you will get either a piece of plain fabric that needs further crafting or a finished product in various forms. The most popular products are obviously apparel items; however, you can also buy the batik as udeng (Balinese headgear) and other souvenirs.

You can make it yourself.

Batik is indeed available for purchase in virtually all markets in Bali; however, if you prefer to make it yourself to understand and to learn how the exotic fabric is produced, you can join a batik class that can be found in several locations in Bali. Batik-making is an interesting activity to do, especially because high-quality batik fabrics are not mass-produced and the best of them are made by hand. Although mass-produced batik fabrics that use screen printing method are also widely available, they are considered second in quality, if not fake.