 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| THE HISTORY AND TECHNIQUE OF BATIK |
| The term "batik" is a word of Indonesian-Malaysian origin. The word Batik occurs in Javanese as Ambatik, which means "drawing and writing". The Indonesian word "tik" means "a drop" (referring to the drops of hot wax). Batik itself has evolved around the principle that wax and water repel each other. This natural effect therefore causes an area of fabric that has been covered with wax being unable to accept a water-based dye. This is also referred to as the "resist technique". |
| The technique is thought to be over a thousand years old and historical evidence demonstrates that cloth covered with this "resist technique" was in use in early centuries A.D. in Africa, the Middle East, and in several places in Asia. Although its actual source is unknown, many observers believe that it was brought to Asia by travelers from the Indian subcontinent. It was on the Island of Java in Indonesia that the art reached its peak development. Batik has become a very central means of artistic expression for many of the areas of Asia and is a deeply integrated facet of Asian culture. |
| Batik has now become a generic term. Many fabrics are called Batik although they were not made with the "resist method". Most purists believe that such a cloth has a Batik design, but is not a true Batik; and the term should be confined to fabrics made through the application of the originally conceived Javanese methods of resist dyeing. |
| EACH "BIBI" BATIK IS PROCESSED USING THE ORIGINAL "RESIST TECHNIQUE". THE WAX IS FREE HAND PAINTED ONTO THE FABRIC. EACH UNIQUE BATIK HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS COLOUR DYEINGS AND SUBSEQUENT WAX APPLICATIONS. THE WAX APPLIED IS A COMBINATION OF PARAFFIN AND BEESWAX. |