Everything You Need to Know about Bali Batik, Indonesia

As one of the islands in Indonesia, of course, Bali has its own distinctive batik. Batik in Bali pioneered by Pande Ketut Krisna from Tegeha Subvillage, Batubulan Village, Sukawati District, Gianyar Regency, Bali Province in 1970. Balinese people generally wear batik in traditional ceremonial activities and religious rituals. They use it by tying it to the waist or wear it as udeng (a typical headband of Balinese people).

Influence of patterns

The pattern in Bali Batik has an abstract and asymmetrical effect (it has a drawing that is not exactly the same as the other) that depicts freedom of expression and does not have the certain rules as the batik of Yogyakarta and Surakarta. It is more varied because Bali is one of the famous tourist destinations visited by local and foreign tourists so the craftsmen are required to be creative. Some of the motives are animal patterns, like dragons, turtles, cranes, and deer. Bali batik colors are also brighter and more striking.

First, batik dyes are wood-bark and other natural materials, so the aroma follows the ingredients. As we know the original batik motif more impressed with the stories of the gods but the blend of culture outside Bali also gives the effect like Pekalongan Batik and Papua Batik.

Balinese Batik Motif

Some of Bali’s famous batik motifs are the Buketan Motif that has flowers and small vegetation as well as the addition of butterflies, hong birds, cranes, and tenures. Another Motif is Merak Abyorhokokai, it is depicting the peacock and Japanese cherry blossom flowers with striking colors. It is influenced by Japanese culture. The Singa Barong Motif was based on Bali legend. It plays a role in preserving Balinese culture. There is also the Ulamsari Mas Motif of shrimps and fish as its motifs that is intended to tell about the richness and beauty of Bali’s nature. The Jagatan Pisang Motifs are kind of abstract ornaments and almost never have the same drawing shape one another. It shows the freedom of its craftsmen.

How to find

Batik in Bali is sought to attract foreign tourists to be more familiar with the traditions and culture of Indonesia which is patented by UNESCO. If you want to search the history of Bali batik, you can visit Gianyar Regency which is where the first craftsmen Pande Ketut Krisna originated and feel free to ask the local people there. But if you just want to look for batik souvenirs, there are many shops selling Bali batik as souvenirs including Denpasar as its Capital.

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