Batik (or the word Batik) originate from the javanese word “amba” wich means writing and “nitik”. the word batik
itself refers to the technique of pattern making using “canting” or “cap” – and a wax-resist dyeing technique used
on textile to hold the absorbment of the coloring ink. So batik textile is a textile which had variative decorative
pattern and motive which is made using “canting” and “cap” and a wax-resist dyeing technique. This technique can
only be applied to on a fabric made of natural fibre such as cotton, silk, wol and cannot be applied on a fabric
made of synthetic fibre(polyester). Textile which is not produced using batik technique is known as “batik pattern
textile” – usually made in a wide range of industrial scale with printing technique – not a batik textile.

Batik is a craftmanship that has a high value of art and has become parts of Indonesian culture (espescially
javanese culture) for ages. Javanese Women in the past made their ability in making batik as a source of living, So
in past times “membatik”(making batik) is a job exclusively for women until the innovation of “batik cap” that
allowed the entrance for men in this bussiness. There are several exception for this phenomenon, it is the “batik
pesisir” which had more maskulin line as seen on the “mega mendung” pattern, where in several coastline area,
“membatik” is a common job for men.

The Variety of pattern and colour of batik also had foreign influence. At first, batik only had limited colour and
pattern, and several pattern can only be wear by a certain people(mainly nobles). but the “Batik pesisir” absorbs
many foreign influence, namely forign marchants and also finally the dutch conqueror. Bright colour like red was
made polupar by the Chinese ethnics, who also introduced the phoenix pattern. European conqueror also had interest
in the batik textile, the outcome of that isthe flower pattern not known before(like the tulip pattern) and also
some of the belongings and architecture bought by the dutch conqueror (buildings and horse chariot), it also include
their favourite colour(blue). Traditional batik still preserve its color, and is still weared in certain
traditional ceremonies, because usually each pattern has its own meaning.

The batik technique has been known for thousand years. There is no known history and literature for the origin of
batik. Some say that this technique are originated from the Sumerian, and then spread trough java after being
brought there by Indian merchants. At this time batik can also be found in many countries like Indonesia, Malaysia,
Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Iran. Besides Asia, batik is also popular in seeveral countries in African
Continent. Altough, the most famous batik is the one originated from Indonesia, espescially from java.
The Batik tradition at first is a tradition passed down among families , so you can tell one pattern from another by
which family made them. Some batik pattern shows ones whealth status. Even untill today, some Batik pattern can
only be used by “Keraton Yogyakarta and Surakarta” Royal Family.

Batik is a heritage from Indonesian (javanese) ancestor which still exist until today. Batik is also firstly
promoted to the world by President Soeharto (Indonesian 2nd president after Soekarno), at the UN Conference in
jakarta.

Indonesia is a big country consist of thousand of Islands. There are so many tribes and ethnics in Indonesia. this background gave birth to an extraordinary diverse culture and art. there are thousands, or maybe millions of cultural artifact stored in the motherland, starting from dance, ornaments, clothing motives, traditional musical instruments, folklore, musics and songs, unique foods and drinks, architecture products, etc. This is indeed a remarkable heritage that god has chosen to give to Indonesian people.

Currently, we live in the era of globalization, which is full of competitions. On this stage, innovation becomes the “fuel” of the economic growth of a country. The high rate of the competitions involving global economy forced us to always seeks for new innovations. the intensity of this competitions makes a huge change on the innovation basic from “technology based innovations’ into “creativity based innovations”. Traditional artifact, which in the beginning considered not valuable, becomes a highly valued thing. This is the reason that is used for thievery and claim from a certain country and the citizen of other country for stealing Indonesian Cultural Artifact.

Some of Indonesian culture and artifact which has been stolen, patented, or claimed by other country are:

No.  Arts/Culture and Region/Country Of Origin Country who claimed

1.   The Batik Clothes Midle Java/Indonesia                 Malaysia

2.   Old Manuscript Riau/Indonesia                                   Malaysia

3.  Old Manuscript West Sumatra/Indonesia                 Malaysia

4.   Old Manuscript South Sulawesi/Indonesia              Malaysia

5.   Old Manuscript Southeast Sulawesi/Indonesia      Malaysia

6.   Rasa Sayange Song Moluccas/Indonesia                  Malaysia

7.   Reog Dance Ponorogo/EastJava/Indonesia             Malaysia

8.   Soleram Song Riau/Indonesia                                        Malaysia

9.   Injit-Injit Semut Song from Jambi/Indonesia       Malaysia

10. Gamelan Instrument Java/Indonesia                    Malaysia

11. Kuda Lumping Dance East Java/Indonesia           Malaysia

12. The Piring Dance West Sumatra/Indonesia            Malaysia

13. Kakatua Song Moluccas/Maluku/Indonesia            Malaysia

14. Batik Parang Motives Jogjakarta/Indonesia         Malaysia

The Data described here can bee viewed more(including source/origin/exploiter/the method/and trick of stealing) at http://budaya-indonesia.org/iaci/Data_Klaim_Negara_Lain_Atas_Budaya_Indonesia

From the calculation done according to the data collected, it is known that 64% of the claim is conducted by the Malaysian government. the intensity of claim by this country to Indonesian Culture and artifact is astonishing. the rate of stealing is increasing from the past year and must be watch carefully.

Indonesian culture is a valuable heritage we must preserve and protect. there are several form of contribution and action that we can take to participate in reducing the stealing,patenting, or claim by another country. one of the action we can take is:

If you have any sort of information or thievery data, patenting, or claim by another country to the Indonesian Culture and Arts please notify immediately to http://budaya-indonesia.org/iaci/Klaim

If you have data(digital photograph, audio data or video data) on Indonesian Culture, please submit the data immediately  to the Perpustakaan Digital Budaya Indonesia, http://budaya-indonesia.org/ this effort is crucial in maintaining and protecting Indonesian Culture from stealing/patenting/and claim from another country.

Please help our effort by spreading this articles by e-mail to your friend and family, mailing list, sites, blog, discussion forum etc. lets support the effort on Preserving Indonesian Culture Online.

Here’s a few picture i can collect on the pendet dance.

it is performed by an original balinese artist and dancers

Here’s another one performed by Vidia and Cindy

Shocking, i know, i watch the news on one of private Television Channel in my Country and see this unbelievable news.

For all of you who doesn’t know about the pendet dance, it is a traditional dance performed at welcome ceremonies and event on Bali Island. and one of the most traditional dance from the Balinese ethnic and culture.

here’s a brief description of Pendet dance from Wiki…

Pendet is a traditional Balinese dance, in which offerings are made to purify the temple or theater as a prelude to ceremonies or other dances. Pendet is typically performed by young girls, carrying bowls of flower petals, handfuls of which are cast into the air at various times in the dance. Pendet can be thought of as a dance of greeting, to welcome the audience and invite spirits to enjoy a performance.

Traditional Balinese dances are the oldest form of performing arts in Bali. Traditional dances can be divided into two types, sacred dance called Wali and entertainment dance called Bebalihan. Wali (sacred dance) is usually performed in some ritual ceremonies only because it has strong magical powers and only can be performed by specific dancers. Bebalihan are usually performed in social events. In addition to entertain, Bebalihan also has other purposes such as: welcoming guests, celebration of harvests, or gathering crowds. Bebalihan has more variations than Wali.

Pendet is the presentation of an offering in the form of a ritual dance. Unlike the exhibition dances that demand arduous training, Pendet may be danced by anyone. It is taught simply by imitation.

Younger girls follow the movements of the elder women, who recognize their responsibility in setting a good example. Proficiency comes with age. As a religious dance, Pendet is usually performed during temple ceremonies.

All dancers carry in their right hand a small offering of incense, cakes, water vessels, or flower formations. With these they dance from shrine to shrine within the temple. Pendet may be performed intermittently throughout the day and late into the night during temple feasts.

The original Pendet dance is performed by 4-5 young girls (before their puberty) in temple yards. Pendet dancers bring flowers in small Bokor (silver bowls for keeping flowers in a ceremony). They spread the flowers around the temple. This dance is a symbol of welcoming God in some ritual ceremonies in Bali. Pendet actually has simple dance movements. These movements are the basic dance movements of Balinese dance. Pendet has undergone later development with variations and now is not only performed in ritual ceremonies but also in some social events. Pendet since has been known as a welcoming dance.

I’m sure this news will rise a lot of controversy among my fellow countrymen, after all our “friendly” neighboring country does often steal our culture in the past (i will tell you all about this in my next post).

what is more shocking is, it seems that my country didn’t take any action or did a little and uncomprehensive action about it. what a sad thing to hear. I’m starting to believe thats is one of the reason why our neighboring country keep doing it(stealing i mean).

Here’s a brief description of Indonesia, I take it from Wiki,

(pronounced /ˌɪndoʊˈniːziə/ or /ˌɪndəˈniːʒə/) (Indonesian: Republik Indonesia), is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia comprises 17,508 islands, and with an estimated population of around 237 million people, it is the world’s fourth most populous country, and has the largest Muslim population in the world.

Indonesia is a republic, with an elected legislature and president. The nation’s capital city is Jakarta. The country shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Malaysia. Other neighboring countries include Singapore, Philippines, Australia, and the Indian territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The Indonesian archipelago has been an important trade region since at least the seventh century, when the Srivijaya Kingdom traded with China and India. Local rulers gradually adopted Indian cultural, religious and political models from the early centuries CE, and Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms flourished. Indonesian history has been influenced by foreign powers drawn to its natural resources. Muslim traders brought Islam, and European powers fought one another to monopolize trade in the Spice Islands of Maluku during the Age of Discovery. Following three and a half centuries of Dutch colonialism, Indonesia secured its independence after World War II. Indonesia’s history has since been turbulent, with challenges posed by natural disasters, corruption, separatism, a democratization process, and periods of rapid economic change.

Across its many islands, Indonesia consists of distinct ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. The Javanese are the largest and most politically dominant ethnic group. Indonesia has developed a shared identity defined by a national language, ethnic diversity, religious pluralism within a majority Muslim population, and a history of colonialism and rebellion against it. Indonesia’s national motto, “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika“ (“Unity in Diversity” literally, “many, yet one”), articulates the diversity that shapes the country. However, sectarian tensions and separatism have led to violent confrontations that have undermined political and economic stability. Despite its large population and densely populated regions, Indonesia has vast areas of wilderness that support the world’s second highest level of biodiversity. The country is richly endowed with natural resources, yet poverty is a defining feature of contemporary Indonesia.

Hello there,

I make this blog to express my gratitude for being born in Indonesia, with its many Island expanding from sabang to marauke and also its vast diverse culture and arts.

I also presented this blog in hope that anyone who “hopefully” have the chance to read it would know and have a little understanding on Indonesian culture and arts. Because Sadly, many of Indonesian culture were stolen recently by our neighboring countries. So, this is one of my effort to help my country re-claim what is rightfully ours.