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For hundreds of years batik textiles have played a vital role in Indonesian culture and society. Along with literature, dance, puppet theatre (wayang kulit) and music (gamelan), batik is one of the most important elements of traditional Javanese art. Although it is not known precisely when batik as a technique of dyeing originated, or whether it is indigenous or of adopted origin, its spiritual content and artistic meaning synthesizes influences from many cultures. For centuries trading contacts had existed amongst the peoples living around the Indian Ocean. By the beginning of the Christian era, China and the Mediterranean world with their enormous demand for spices, aromatic woods, resins and gold were added to the trading network. The straits of Malacca between the Malayan Peninsula and Sumatra linked the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea. Trade was based on a system of bartering with Indian textiles as the principal trading commodity Read more about 'Hindu and Buddhist Influence' |
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