Batik in Bali

In Bali, the very existence of Batik is firstly introduced by Pande Ketut Krisna in 1970. Originally, batik is coming from the word ‘ambatik’ that has a meaning of ‘a cloth with little dots’. Furthermore, the word batik is also originated from Javanese which mean ‘tritik’. Tritik itself is a process of creating batik itself. Even though batik is very popular in Java, but Bali also posses its own execlusive characteristic of Balinese batik or it is usually called Batik Bali. 

Do you know that in each region that having batik production, they will always have different types of batik motifs. Oftentimes, the traditional and modern batik is mixed as one to create more exclusive and beautiful batik motifs. The motifs of Batik Bali is also a combination of the original Balinese motif that come from the Balinese culture that is merged with culture outside of Balinese culture. And then, as a result the Balinese motifs are beautiful and exclusive. Below are some motifs of Balinese batik that you should know.

The first one is Batik Bali Buketan. Buketan here originally comes from the word ‘bouquet’ in French which means a bouquet of flowers. Therefore, as the name suggest the motif of Batik Bali Buketan is flowers. Sometimes the motifs butterflies and  birds could be found in this batik. The next is Batik Bali Ulam Sari Mas. This Balinese motif is the most well known motifs of Batik Bali. This motifs usually about shrimps and fishes. This motif is indicating the natural resources that are available in Bali. 

Another motifs of Batik Bali is Singa Barong. This motif of Balinese batik is indicating the Balinese culture. This motifs display the exclusiveness and  diversity of cultures in Bali. By creating this motif, indirectly it could be a way to preserve Balinese culture. Therefore, the more people buy this piece of batik, then the more people will know about the Balinese culture. The next is, Bali Batik Penari Bali. As the name suggest, this Balinese motifs are promoting the types of dances that are existed in Bali. The batik artist also wants to introduce Balinese dance through a piece of batik. 

Another motif of Batik Bali is Batik Bali Merak Abyorhokokai. In English Merak itself means “peacock”. Actually, this Merak Abyor Hokokai is inspired by Japanese culture. However, the motifs of this kind of Batik Bali is still depicting the beauty of Balinese culture. The last but not least is Batik Bali Pisan. Today, the majority of people call it Batik Pisang. Pisang here means ‘come back again’. Therefore, Balinese often give this batik for their loved ones who want to travel far, so they could return home to the ones that they love. Furthermore, this Batik Bali pisang is a symbol for hope, prayer, and salvation.