Earlier, I'd misled readers by stating that "bakso" (to refresh your memory - "balls") is to Indonesia what "croissant" is to France.
This is hideously false. The truth of course is that Indonesia runs on "batik" ("shirt that will get you fired, but may open up something in the circus" - it's a succinct language).
Indonesia drowns in batik. For an archipelago, this is a dangerous idea. I'm sure it has some purpose, such as the one-of-each-ethnicity pieces in my wardrobe, which I wore for weddings, until I realized the follies of my way (New motto: "Say no to weddings, unless they are all yours!").
As with all the sundry tourist trinkets, the dark matter of the "GDP" puzzle, who would actually USE batik? People are nuts.
It is a tough skill, and art, no doubt. That does not make it worthy of being churned out by the millions. I think only tourists buy it, and only because it is so hyped. Even Lonely Planet (motto: "Save water - don't shower") says Java is overrun by batik, to satiate tourists.
2 comments:
God bless Indonesian Batik, which is very beautiful compared to Malaysian or Singaporean Batik. *UGH*.
If you want to meet the faces behind the Batik, visit a Batik school. Plenty of those around.
I remember befriending a girl my age who was a graduate student at the Batik academy. I bought her graduation piece.
It was an amazing depiction of Sita imprisoned in Ravana's abode, done in midnight colours.
It still hangs in our hall. :)
Oh... who can ignore the deluge of touristy batik. I agree that its overrated. Every third shop along Jlm Malioboro sells batik.
If it costs anything less than 400,000 Rp, you could probably use it as a dishrag.
Your Javanese politician wears tailor made silk batik shirts. They look very elegant.
Although, it must be noted that these shirts are completely unwearable outside Indonesia, unless you're attending a malay wedding. ;)
~div
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