Talking about Batik means talking about Indonesia. Works of art, culture since ancient times. The picture above is one of the batik patterns that are the pride of our nation, Indonesia. Batik is a pictorial Indonesian cloth that is specially made by writing or applying wax to the cloth, then processing it in a certain way that has its own characteristics. For the whole technique, technology, and related motif and cultural development

So, Batik is the work of the Indonesian people which is a blend of art and technology by the ancestors of the Indonesian nation. Indonesian Batik can develop to an incomparable level both in design/motif and process and Batik is officially registered as a Humanitarian Heritage of Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Culture at UNESCO.

On 2 October 2009, Batik was inaugurated at the fourth session of the Inter-Governmental Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage held by UNESCO in Abu Dhabi. Since then October 2nd has become National Batik Day

A Brief History of the Birth of Batik

• Batik is a work of art of high value and historic

Batik is one of the most valuable works of art among other arts such as wayang, etc. Batik art in Indonesia has been known since the time of the Majapahit empire and the history of the entry of Islam into Indonesia. Thus, it continues to grow until the next kingdom and its kings

The oldest batik art was found in the 17th century AD and 18 AD during the Majapahit kingdom. At that time batik was only used by the people of the palace or kingdom and their followers. However, slowly, the art of batik was also spread outside the palace and became clothes that were also worn by the general public. The art of batik is generally widespread in Indonesia and in particular on the island of Java after the end of the 18th century or the beginning of the 19th century.

• As a school uniform

Since the first batik is not only used from the royal, palace or from their descendants. but also made as a school uniform at that time. Typical Dutch clothing style combined with batik. So that to this day many schools in Indonesia wear batik on certain days and generally on Thursdays. Because the inauguration of batik as a work of Indonesian art on October 2, 2009 is Thursday

• The culture of the royal family in Indonesia since ancient times

Initially, batik activities were only limited to the palace and batik was produced for the clothes of the king and the government's family and dignitaries. Because many of the dignitaries lived outside the palace, this batik art was brought by them out of the palace and produced in their respective places.

Over time, this batik art was imitated by the common people and then expanded so that it became the work of household women to fill their spare time.

Equipment used to draw batik

Batik is a complicated, difficult, skillful, diligent and meticulous job to produce beautiful, and high-value works of art. In addition to expertise, there are other things that are most important in batik. Traditionally, batik equipment is up to 14 pieces. But here are just a few and the most important of them :

1. Canting

Canting is useful for making batik patterns with a colored liquid called wax, the basic material of canting is generally copper with a bamboo handle, but batik media at this time has developed and is starting to change to Teflon.

2. A small stove and skillet

Usually the skillet used in the batik process is made of aluminum or copper and is placed on a small stove. A small stove is a tool used as a heat source when melting batik wax

3. Mori cloth

Mori cloth is a white woven cloth used for batik. The raw materials for mori cloth are natural fibers such as cotton, rayon, and silk. There are 2 types of mori cloth, namely mori cloth that has undergone a bleaching process or bleaching and mori cloth that has not been bleached.

4. Candle or night and filter

Night or often referred to as candles, is one of the important raw materials for making batik, especially written batik and stamped batik. The function of this material in the process of making batik is to cover certain parts so that they are not exposed to dyes.

The filter is a tool to filter the hot "night" that has a lot of impurities. If the "night" is filtered, then the dirt can be removed so that it does not interfere with the "night" on the canting shoot when it is used for batik.

5. pendulum

It is used as a ballast to hold the batik cloth so that the cloth does not shift easily when painted with batik wax. This pendulum can be made of iron, wood or whatever is used as a ballast.

Various batik patterns

After batik spread widely outside the island of Java. Batik can also be found in all provinces and regions in Indonesia. There are many types of batik patterns. Considering that Indonesia has many provinces. So, the batik pattern is adjusted to each region

There is also now a batik pattern in the form of beautiful flowers. If given night and colors it looks very luxurious and elegant

Used for formal and informal events

In the past, batik was only used for palace or formal events, while such as Javanese traditional weddings. Now, along with the times, batik can be used as office clothes

Used as a party dress combined with other types of fabric, the result is very beautiful

Men wearing batik look authoritative, right?

For children's clothes

Casual clothes or pajamas are also beautiful

Accessories from batik also look luxurious

Batik go international

What is very proud of Batik is not only used by Indonesians, even some celebrities outside Indonesia have used Batik. They even have a concert wearing batik patterned clothes. More proud. Some Korean artists use batik

And Ridwal Kamil designed his own batik clothes for 2 super junior members Leeteuk and Yesung

The 'Batik for the World' Exhibition was held on June 6-12 at UNESCO's headquarters in Paris. UNESCO is a United Nations organization that deals with education, science and culture. As an opening, a fashion show was held by Oscar Lawalata, Edward Hutabarat, and Denny Wirawan.

Batik is famous throughout the country and even internationally because batik is a culture that is in accordance with the pattern of the times, meaning that this culture is suitable for all ages and circles of society, as well as a unique art pattern and has characteristics in each region of the batik maker giving the impression of interest.

How, more love with your own culture, right? Proud to wear batik. We Love Batik

Source image from

Pinterest.com detik.com

fitinline.com

bajubatik.com

batikindonesia.com

Zenius.com

kemendikbud.com

private collections

Regards

AYU