Batik is a technique using wax for producing designs on the fabric. The word batik itself came from the word ‘ambatik’ which means ‘a cloth with little dots’.

For Indonesians, batik is important because many people would wear it to formal or casual gatherings. They wear it in a variety of rituals, ceremonies, traditions, festivities, and even everyday life.

History of Batik

A convention of making batik is found in different nations, counting Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nigeria. However batik from Indonesia in any case is the best-known. Indonesian batik has a deep meaning that is influenced by social and community history as well as strategy, and quality of workmanship. In October 2009, UNESCO assigned Indonesian batik as a Showstopper of Verbal and Intangible Legacy of Humankind.

Differences Between Tjap and Tulis

There are two types of the technique of batik; tjap and tulis. “Tjap” refers to technique in which the wax is applied using a copper stamp called a Tjap. “Tulis” refers to technique in which the wax is applied using a Tjanting. Unlike the copper stamp, the Tjanting allows the artist to draw by hand, resulting in a work that is more personal, original, and expressive. Tjanting was created in Java. It’s a small vessel with one or more capillary spouts and a wood-shaped handle made of thin copper. Because the size of the spouts vary from vessel to vessel, drawing with the Tjanting is a very skilled procedure.

Proces

First, the pattern is created by either drawing dots and lines in the resist using a spouted tool known as a canting or printing the resist with a copper stamp known as a cap. Because the wax resists dyes, the artist can color the cloth selectively by soaking it in one color, extracting the wax with boiling water, and repeating the process if various colors are needed. Traditional colors for Central Javanese batik were made from natural ingredients and consisted primarily of beige, blue, brown and black.

Symbols and Pattern

Patterns are symbolic are carried in batik slings decorated with symbols designed to bring the child luck, and certain designs are reserved for brides and bridegrooms, as well as their families. Beside the variety of different symbols, batik also has a representative meaning where it comes from. For example from Pekalongan, Flores, Sumatra, Java and Bali.

Intern Indonesia

Do you want to know more about batik? Or do you want to try to make it by yourself?  Yes, in Yogyakarta you can do a workshop in the company where it is made. There you can learn the history of batik in detail and make it on your own. We also have the possibility of doing an internship, research, minor in Bali, Yogyakarta and in Sumatra. For more information, you can contact us via email. Have a great day and see you in Indonesia.

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