FELLIN F. KINANTI
October 2 is a special date for Indonesia as it commemorates the National Batik Day. 2021 is noteworthy because it marks the 12-year anniversary since batik was recognized by UNESCO as an Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
To celebrate, the spouses of Indonesia diplomats held a batik-themed picnic at the Al Arudh Park inside the Diplomatic Quarter. Decors and clothes made from batik fabric were displayed. A mini demo on how to use the batik cloth was also held.
Batik is a cloth made from the wax-resist dyeing tradition of Indonesians developed centuries ago. It has various colors and patterns according to its origins and each pattern has its own special meaning. Batik is not only used by ancient Royals, but is also used as a symbol of fortune from the beginning and ending of life. Batik is still commonly used as a baby carrier and is also often used in prayer rugs, table cloths, and casual shirts.
Perhaps as meaningful as the thobe and abaya for every Saudi, Indonesians also take pride in wearing the batik in formal attire. Most, if not all, schools, institutions, and companies in Indonesia have batik in their uniform or daily wear. It is also common for Indonesians to wear batik to attend family gatherings or any kind of ceremonial events such as engagement or wedding. Nowadays, we can find batik transformed into various fashion pieces such as bags, shoes, belts, hats, and face masks. For Indonesians, the National Batik Day celebration serves as a reminder of their roots and identity: to love their heritage and embrace a uniqueness that cannot be found elsewhere but at home.
