An ancient art
Batik is a traditional fabric dyeing process that uses a technique called wax resist. Indonesian craft workers have been making batik for over l 000 years. The process was first used by the people who lived on Java.
Batik sarongs for sale in Bali

The Process
Batik is made when a pattern of hot wax is applied onto cloth, traditiona!ly cotton. After the designs are applied with wax, the cloth is dipped into dye. The dye colours the parts of the material that are not waxed. The wax-coated areas resist colouring. The wax is removed by boiling the cloth. Wax is applied several times, so that the design can be coloured indifferent colours.

Tools
Traditionally, wax was applied with a tool called a canting, (say: ch-aunt-ing) which is rather like a wax-filled pen.Later, a copper stamp called a cap (say: chup) was invented, so that designs could be applied more quickly. These days, many places have machines to apply wax liquid patterns.

Designs
There are about 80 traditional Indonesian batik designs, many of which are symbolic and worn on special occasions, such as at a wedding, to bring good luck to the bride and groom. However, today other designs are also made, and batik is used to pattern pictures to hang on walls.

Acknowledge this source in your bibliography like this:
A Trip to Indonesia (2001). [Online], Available: www.kidcyber.com.au

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updated August 2006