Indonesia is home of hundreds ethnic groups with its different cultural products. One of the cultural products is traditional cloth. Following explanation are some samples of traditional cloth with its origin. We can combine this textile tour with others tourist objects and make it as an interesting cultural tour programs.
BATIK
The word Batik comes from Javanese word Amba (means “to write”) and titik (means “dot”). There are two types of Batik, Batik Tulis (written/drawing Batik) and Batik Cap (printing Batik). Batik Tulis made by drawing dots and lines of the resist with a spouted tool called canting while Batik Cap made by printing the resist with a copper stamp called cap. In Batik making process, artisan wash the fabric, draw the pattern with pencil and redrawn it using hot wax by canting or artisan can use a copper stamp called cap to put the pattern into the fabric, remove the wax with boiling water, and repeat the process if multiple colors are desired. Batik can be used in ceremonial event and daily use. On October 2009, UNESCO designated Indonesian Batik as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
FLORES IKAT WOVEN CLOTH
Ikat woven cloth produces by women weavers in Flores, Eastern Nusa Tenggara by tying threads from cotton, coloring it with environmentally-friendly dyes, and weaving it in particular motifs. This process is very complex and time-consuming. Local people use ikat woven cloth to protect and cover their body and for symbolist function in ritual ceremonies. Florenese women continue to preserve this weaving tradition so we can find the weavers and see ikat woven cloth making process at many villages in Flores.
SUMBA IKAT.
Sumba woven fabric is produced in Sumba Island, East Nusa Tenggara. Previously, Sumba band woven has simple pattern but deep in spiritual meanings. Some patterns categorized as sacred pattern and only use for spiritual events. For other use, Sumba woven fabric has flora and fauna
patterns. Furthermore, there are two types of Sumba woven fabric, such as East Sumba woven fabric and West Sumba woven fabric. East Sumba woven fabric is dominated by fauna motif and has dynamic pattern with blue-black and light blue color while West Sumba woven fabric is used more simply-small motif with light line and symmetrical pattern with dark red and dark yellow
color. We can see East Sumba woven fabric making process by visiting several villages in north and northeast Sumba Island such as Kanatang, Kambera, Rindi, Umalulu, and Mangili. West Sumba woven can be found at Wanohaka, Lamboya, and Tana Righu Village.
