Batik Definition
What is Batik?
Batik is one way of traditionally made using a handmade wax-resist dyeing technique Cloth
The term batik, it self, comes from titik in indonesia. It means a little point or drop. Based on Java term, it comes from “ambatik”. Amba refers to write and the suffix “tik” refers to little point or drop as well as making point. Thus, the term batik has a meaning as writing or painting a point. On the other word, it refers to a process in which making color withstand technique by using a wax, done repeatedly on the material. The wax has a function to keep and prevent the absorption of color on the material covered by wax as well as to build a pattern on the material. It is said that such a technique was applied for years ago but it is unknown where it comes from and where it found for the first time. However, we can find some proves by finding it in Afrika, Europe, Middle East and some other Asian countries: China, India and Japan. According to the scientist, batik was presented by the visitor and it became a popular product in Indonesia especially in Java. It is a habit and art image of the society, worn by Javanese as a traditional cloth. Then, this culture has developed and spread out to all over the Indonesian island and Malay Peninsula. Therefore, it becomes really popular and to be fond of many peoples. In addition, it becomes an Indonesian official cloth. Nowadays, it becomes a trade means in Indonesia and world. It has also an important role for industrial trade.
The development of batik in Indonesia is dominated in Java. Therefore, we can find batik center in Java: Yogyakarta, Solo, Pekalongan, Cirebon etc. Each of them has a strange in design, color and pattern. The arrival of Arabian, Chinese, European and Dutch led to great influence on its design. This can be found on the border of Java Island: Pekalongan and Cirebon whose design is the combination of light color and the pattern are bird, flowers and trees. Such a kind of batik called modern batik. Meanwhile, the batik of Java still refers to traditional batik.