The History of Batik

If you live in Indonesia, then you will know that Batik is the authentic Indonesian textiles. Commonly, the design of the Indonesian batik is so close to nature such as flowers, leaves, buds, plants, birds, butterflies, peacocks, fishes and many other stuffs that close to nature. Furthermore, when you are in Indonesia, Batik is become a part of your life, thus it is impossible for you to not be defined by Batik. When in Javanese, surely you will be defined by  Javanese Batik. While, when you are in Bali, surely you will be also defined by Batik Bali. Therefore, Batik is always become a part of Indonesian life.

Have you ever heard the word ‘ambatik’? Yes, ambatik here means ‘a cloth with little dots’. The suffix ‘tik’ here means little dots, point, or to make dots. However, many experts also claimed that there is a possibility that Batik is principally from the word ‘tritik’ or ‘titik’ in which it is originated from Javanese. The ‘tritik’ or ‘titik’ itself illustrate the restricting process of dying in which the motifs are composed on the textiles by confining and then sewing spaces prior to dying which is similar to tie dye methods. 

Furthermore, to create a Batik Bali or any other Batik the motifs that are to be dyed into the fabric are drawn with a tool that is called canting. Canting here is a wooden pen that could be filled with hot liquid wax. Commonly, in Batik workshop or Batik class women are sitting in circles and busying themselves in working through their fabrics that are hung over the border. And then, they will frequently dipping their canting to the central container that is filled with ink. Some of them draw according to their memory, while some of them draw through the patterns that already drawn before. 

Moreover, in Bali batik has its own pride and prestige. When Balinese are worn hand made (batik tulis) batik in which they claim this types of Batik as a high class Batik Bali. Furthermore, by adorning this type of Bali, it could also determine their social status. Moreover, Batik Bali has stunning designs where they are inspired by religious mythologies to daily life. But still, batik is authentically influenced by Javanese motifs  which are overshadowed by nature and mythological beings. Today though, many of modern batik artists express their creation through numerous subjects. 

Nowadays, Batik Bali is not only to be worn when there is traditional or ritual activities in Bali. There is no limitation and condition in wearing Batik in Bali. Everyone could wear Batik everyday if they want. Furthermore, many designers have promoted Batik Bali as an elegant fabric that is definitely could be worn everyday as a casual or formal clothes.