​Batik is a technique of wax-resist dyeing applied to the whole cloth. It has become a cultural symbol of the island nation of Indonesia.

In general, the word Batik is a resist process for dyeing where the patterns are reserves on the textiles by tying and sewing areas prior to dying similar to dye technique. Batik is made through many complicated stages. Batik is made either by drawing dots and lines of the resist with a spouted tool called a canting or by printing the resist with a copper stamp called a cap. The applied wax resists dyes and therefore allows the artisan to colour selectively by soaking the cloth in one colour, removing the wax with boiling water, and repeating if multiple colours are desired.

From pristine white hand-woven cotton, craftsmen and designers draw patterns with pencils. They then painted and covered the models with beeswax, and then dipped them in a vat of boiling dye solution. The hot water will melt the wax, the fabric covered with beeswax remains white, only the unwaxed parts of the fabric will tint and begin to show patterns.

The most important stage is drawing beeswax. A small copper tool containing hot beeswax with a long, tapered nozzle, called a canting , is painted and covered with beeswax over drawings or uncolored areas of the fabric. The fabric is left to dry, checking the quality of the colors and patterns after the initial dyeing. After several repetitive processes: painting - beeswax coating and coloring, the finished product will be satisfactory.

Batik is a textile product with a skillful combination of weaving and painting techniques. Some of the products are of sophisticated artistic quality and have high aesthetic value. With unique beauty, the colors created from batik products are the quintessence of the fashion heritage of the "Land of Ten Thousand Islands". Batik is a treasure that helps Indonesia develop strongly in garment technology, weaving, fashion, festivals, tourism...

With these Batik fabrics made according to this traditional craft technique, the artisans are free to create according to their liking and produce diverse textured fabrics with their own unique features and that's why it is a work of art expressing the cultural and spiritual values ​​of the Indonesian people.

 

Artist Venny Afwany Alamsyah (in the middle) introduces Batik painting at the cultural exchange program in Dong Nai.

The process of Batik product is complicated, meticulous and full of artistic creativity. So,  Batik products often take a lot of time, requires meticulousness, patience and high concentration from drawing patterns with melted beeswax, dye, bleach many times to achieve the most satisfactory color. Since all stages are completely handmade, it can take at least a month to produce a finished batik fabric, some fabrics take up to a year with the participation of many people to create the more splendid, sophisticated patterns.

Batik fabric has long been chosen as a traditional costume, creating a splendid and luxurious beauty for women. Many batik fabrics of different sizes are used to sew shirts, skirts, shawls, scarves, belts... Some fabrics are dedicated to home decoration, making shawls to cover the couple in the wedding ceremony. Batik is a popular fabric product and is used as a costume for all classes. If used daily, the patterns will be simple, if used during holidays and New Year, the decorative patterns will be more sophisticated, depending on the purpose of use .there will be corresponding patterns. Students come to school also use batik uniforms, employees, officials, workers in agencies, factories, offices all have their own uniforms from batik products. For attire used in state banquets, men will wear long-sleeved shirts and women wear full-length Batik.

 

Delegates drawing Batik paintings at the cultural exchange program organized by the Dong Nai Union of Friendship Organizations in collaboration with the Consulate General of Republic of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh City.

Although Batik technique has appeared in many countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, India, but according to experts, Indonesian Batik is still unique in its magnificence and solemnity, rich and varied, sophisticated and delicate colors and decorative patterns. In 2009, Indonesian Batik was recognized by UNESCO as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.