Malaysian Batik is batik textile art of Malaysia,
especially on the east coast of Malaysia (Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang). The
most popular motifs are leaves and flowers. Malaysian batik depicting humans or
animals are rare because Islam norms forbid animal images as decoration.
However, the butterfly theme is a common exception. The Malaysian batik is also
famous for its geometrical designs, such as spirals.
In line with the 1Malaysia concept, the Malaysian
government is now endorsing Malaysian batik as a national dress to every level
of the general population, by having local designers to create new batik
designs which reflect the 1Malaysia idea.
The method of Malaysian batik making is also quite different
from those of Indonesian Javanese batik, the pattern is larger and simpler, it
seldom or never uses canting to create intricate patterns and rely heavily on
brush painting method to apply colours on fabrics. The colours also tend to be
lighter and more vibrant than deep coloured Javanese batik.
In line with the 1Malaysia concept, the Malaysian
government is now endorsing Malaysian batik as a national dress to every level
of the general population, by having local designers to create new batik
designs which reflect the 1Malaysia idea.
History
The origin of batik production in Malaysia is not easy to
trace. Few historical artifacts exist, but it is known trade relations between
the Melayu Kingdom in Jambi and Javanese coastal cities have thrived since the
13th century, the northern coastal batik producing areas of Java (Cirebon, Lasem,
Tuban, and Madura) has influenced Jambi batik. This Jambi (Sumatran) batik, as
well as Javanese batik, has influenced the batik craft in the Malay peninsula.
According to the Museum of Cultural History of Oslo, it
is known for certain that the Javanese influenced Malay batik-making
technically as well as in the development of designs. At an early stage the
Malaysians used wooden blocks in order to produce batik-like textiles. As late
as the 1920s Javanese batik makers introduced the use of wax and copper blocks
on Malaysia's east coast. The production of hand drawn batik in Malaysia is of
recent date and is related to the Javanese batik tulis.
Commercial production started in the 1960s. This craft
has developed its own particular aesthetic and design, peculiar to Malaysia.
The new Malaysian batik is clearly different from the Javanese tradition of
hand-painted batiks.
Malaysian batik can be found on the east coast of
Malaysia such as Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang, while batik in Johor clearly
shows Javanese and Sumatran influences since there are a large number of
Javanese and Sumatran immigrants in southern Malaysia.
Culture
Batik was mentioned in the 17th century Malay Annals. The
legend goes when Laksamana Hang Nadim was ordered by Sultan Mahmud to sail to
India to get 140 pieces ofserasah cloth (batik) with 40 types of flowers
depicted on each. Unable to find any that fulfilled the requirements explained
to him, he made up his own. On his return unfortunately, his ship sank and he
only managed to bring four pieces, earning displeasure from the Sultan.
For men, Batik can be worn at dinner functions. Even the
ladies wear the fabric as formal dress, combining batik with modern fashion.
The Malaysian government encourages civil servants to wear batik during the 1st
and 15th day of the month. In Sabah, East Malaysia, teachers are encouraged to
wear batik shirts or baju kurung to school on Thursdays - usually the school
will have a particular patterned fabric which will be provided to every teacher
to take to the tailor, so that their clothing matches.
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