Discover how Batik is made by creating your own Traditional Garment in Jogjakarta, Indonesia

by Exotissimo Travel

Ever looked at beautiful traditional garments and wondered, "how did they do that?" Well, not only will your questioned be answered with our one day Jogja Batik Course, you will also actually make your own souvenir! Yes, make your very own batik that you can not only wear, but boast to your friends about the skill and technique you acquired in making your new Indonesian creation. This excursion is fabulous for travelers of all ages and creates a one of a kind souvenir of your Java experience.
So, what is batik? It is a piece of cloth that uses traditional wax-resist dyeing technique. The patterns are beautiful and mostly depict nature such as flowers or trees, of living things like people or animals or of traditional folklore. Batik is one of Indonesia's most traditional and famous crafts.
Traditional batik from Java is interesting. Batik from Jogjakarta tend to illustrate Java's conceptualization of the universe. Colors are usually indigo, dark brown and white with each representing Hindu Gods (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva respectively). These colors were readily used because the dyes were commonly available in those colors.
This day trip introduces you to the art of batik making for a fun and memorable hands-on session under the guidance of a local artisan. What are the steps? First off, you will apply melted wax onto the cloth before being dipped in dye. Most Javanese use a beeswax and paraffin wax combination. Why? Beeswax holds the fabric well and paraffin promotes cracking, a telling feature of batik. Gold dust can also be used to decorate the batik, applied using a special handmade glue. Don't worry, the gold will stick, even after washing. Next apply your thin wax lines and then hang it out to dry. And no worries, your creation will be sent to your hotel after it is fully dry.
Trips like these are meant for you to indulge in the country's natural gifts and colorful culture as much as possible in a single day. These go great with our Indonesia tours, fueling even more fun and memories into your holidays in this nation consisting of thousands and thousands of islands.