BATIK

The word batik is derived from the javanese word amba (= to write) and titik (= dot or point). The word was first recorded in the Encyclopedia Britannica of 1880. Wax-resist-dyeing technique used in dying fabrics is actually an ancient art form. It was found in Africa, especially Egypt and different parts of Asia. In Europe, it was Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who introduced this technique to this continent through his book The History of Java, which was published in London in 1817. Indonesian immigrants brought batik to Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and Southhern Thailand. Now batik has become part of these countries cultures, especially Malaysia. Of course there are some differences between Indonesian and Malaysia batik. The first difference is in the pattern. Malaysian batik only uses floral and geometrical designs and the butterfly as the only animal design. The second difference is the method; Malaysian batik, which has larger and simpler patterns, doesn't use canting , and tends to use lighter colors.