Batik, the Traditional Indonesian Textile

The word batik is thought to be derived from the word 'ambatik' which translated means 'a cloth with little dots'. The suffix 'tik' means little dot, drop, point or to make dots, and 'amba' means large and wide. Batik may also originate from the Javanese word 'tritik' which describes a resist process for dying where the patterns are reserved on the textiles by tying and sewing areas prior to dying, similar to tie dye techniques. Another Javanese phase for the mystical experience of making batik is “mbatik manah” which means “drawing a batik design on the heart”.

The horizon of batik is continuing to widen. While the design process has remained basically the same over the last century, the process shows great progress in recent decades. Traditionally, batik was sold in 2 1/4 meter lengths used for kain panjang or sarong in traditional dress. Now, not only is batik used as a material to clothe the human body, its uses also include furnishing fabrics, heavy canvas wall hangings, tablecloths and household accessories. Batik techniques are used by famous artists to create batik paintings which grace many homes and offices.

Prayer Rug (sajadah) with Pekalongan Batik Motif

In Indonesia, there are many kind of Batik Designs, in which every region or ever district has their each style of Batik, for instance, Sukoharjo Batik, Solo Batik, Pekalongan Batik, Cirebon Batik, Madura Batik, Sendang batik, Balinese Batik, Javanese Batik, etc.