History of Batik

  Batik is originated from the word javanese amba which means to write and tik ( titik ) means point. Batik is one way of making cloth process. Batik itself refers to 2 things which are the coloring fabric called wax resist dyeing which a method where a cloth being colored with candle ( malam ) to resist the entry of other color in order to get the desired color, while the other meaning is a fabric made with particula pattern. The colouring fabric method has existed since the 4th century in Egypt, its been proved by discovery of the mummy covered a fabric which had been coated with wax / candle.

 

batik tiongkok

Asian batik which grew in China that apply techniques such as batik since the 618-907 during the Tang dynasty, when the Japanese in 645-794 during the Nara period, equivalent to India at that time. In Africa, the Yoruba tribe, and Wolof soninke also practice similar techniques.
It is still being questioned, whether developing batik in Java is a native of the local culture, because according to GP Rouffaer, batik technique was introduced by india and srilanka in the 6th and 7th centuries BC. But other expert, JLA Brandes (Dutch archaeologist) and F. A sudjipto (historian Indonesia) said that batik originated from the Toraja, Flores, Papua, and Halmahera, which  places that did not influenced by Hinduism which known technique of Batik.  In Java, batik has been known since the time of Majapahit around 18th century until the beginning of the century to the 20s, while printed batik has become a popular starting in the 1920s. Grinsing patterns that exist in Indonesia, known to exist since the 12th century in Kediri, East Java.