Imparts Basic Skills and Techniques in Batik Making

The beauty of Batik products that is exclusive to the region, in particular those produced by Malaysia and Indonesia, attracts Batik lovers from all over the world.  The fame of traditional Batik craft or art also attracted the interest of some parties in Brunei Darussalam to explore and join the Batik industry.

Although the batik making industry is relatively new in the Brunei Darussalam, various efforts have been taken by several parties to increase batik production.  Among them was the Batik Making Workshop organised by the Youth Development Centre.  During the workshop, participants were taught the basic skills and technique of making Batik, starting from sketching the designs up to the colouring process.

It's not easy to produce the fine and perfect Batik designs.  It takes a lot of time, patience and diligence.  The existence of Batik provides its lovers access to designs or patterns that encompass beauty, quality and exclusiveness.  Batik is produced in varying motifs, including in patterns depicting flora and fauna. These are chosen based on their uniqueness. The conductor of the Batik Workshop, Hajah Che Yam binti Che Ibrahim said making Batik required time and creativity.  It includes life-learning process, and for Brunei Darussalam, local ideas, ways and creativity are important, in order to come out with the art in Brunei, Brunei Batik.

Batik is not only synonym with Malaysia or Indonesia, but also has a universal character. It's the patterns that differentiate them.  In Malaysia, the products of this handicraft or art are a national heritage that Malaysian communities are proud of, because of the creativity and skills involved. Normally when one speaks of Batik Lukis or drawn or sketched Batik, it reminds of one Batik Kelantan or Terengganu. Meanwhile, among the most popular cultures of the Javanese of Indonesia is the craft of written Batik that contributes to their economy. This has motivated sections of the Javanese community to take measures to preserve and protect the traditional heritage.  In Brunei Darussalam, parties involved in the local Batik industry should diversify it and explore new trends if they want to continue developing and strengthening. They should also be sensitive to the needs and demands of the global markets.

source :

http://www.rtbnews.rtb.gov.bn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16106%3Aimparts-basic-skills-and-techniques-in-batik-making&Itemid=80

The New Tradition of Batik Brunei

HAJI ZAINAL Abidin Hj Ibrahim laughs quietly, his hand swatting away my presumptuous question. “No, no. Batik was never a traditional art in Brunei,” he says. I knew that, of course, from his statements in the past about his art but I wanted to hear it for myself. It’s a strange admission, given that batik is fiercely contested as a traditional art in the region.

HAJI ZAINAL Abidin Hj Ibrahim

Indonesian batik has won that “contest” – listed by UNESCO in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanityowing to its proven origins centuries ago in Java, much to the chagrin of Malaysian batik proponents, some who still lay claim as owners of batik and deny any influence from Indonesian batik.

In any case, it’s unimportant to Hj ZAINAL Abidin Hj Ibrahim. He has previously gone on record to pinpoint Malaysian batik’s emergence to its introduction in the 1970s through formal educational institutions. Its ongoing development and emphasis on Malaysian-inspired designs for originality are also how Hj ZAINAL Abidin Hj Ibrahim hopes to grow Brunei’s own fledgling batik industry, an industry that invariably turns to the Bruneian entrepreneur for guidance.

He is, after all, the one that started it all here. The pioneering man has been making batik in Brunei for over a decade. The latter part of his time has been invested into a designing process that uses digital technology, enabling mass production and, therefore, giving more people access to his products.

However, it is still the traditional methods that appeal to him the most. And when students from Pehin Dato Seri Maharaja Secondary School (SMPDSM) came to visit Hj ZAINAL Abidin Hj Ibrahim’s production site in late August, it was the traditional methods that they learnt.

the Brunei student learn how to batik canting

“My preference is this traditional method. It is only after you master the traditional methods can you explore Batik technique. When I design, I mix both and that’s my edge, whether in terms of printing, technique or execution. It’s very rare to find masters of both,” he says.

Naturally, the only way for my trade to be profitable is to reach outside markets, and the response has been very encouraging. In the past three years, interest has just grown, through exhibition requests both local and international. But the nature of digital is mass production and there is some missing aspects from traditional batik. How does batik last for hundreds of years? From traditional wisdom that gives enduring strength,” adds Hj Zainal.

He tells about his latest research that draws on traditional strength: the use of natural dyes. “Even in Indonesia, it’s only starting. Here, I have some knowledge but no practical development yet. Tomorrow will be the first formal discussion about it.”

He refers to his participation in the “Batik Workshop with Natural Dyes” organised by the Indonesian embassy, where he and Indonesian batik researcher would discuss the use of natural dyes in batik design.

“It’s important for us as we can explore our untapped forests in Brunei. Natives of the rainforests have used the “nutrients” of plants to make colours that stay. You can’t replicate the colours from natural dyes. They’re so vivid... I’ve had people from Japan and Korea who love the effect I’ve tried so far.”

But after so long in the business, and with all the interest in his art from Bruneian youth, I ask if his work has truly inspired more Bruneians to pick it up.

“We’ve done many activities to support the efforts of the ministries... while a form of recreation for the youth, it can also show them batik as more than a hobby,” he says.

While I certainly found all the 30-odd students there to be very interested in the event, none of them seemed to express any desire to take up batik seriously.

Rozana Abdul Rahman is the sole “success” of Hj Zainal’s efforts. Rozana, 38, is his assistant, and spends most of the time by the side of his mentor, teaching others and helping Hj Zainal with all of the intricate processes of batik design.

“I’ve been working with Hj Zainal since 2006. My interest in art started from school... you can see my name in the papers, I was champion in many competitions when I was a kid! My hope is that, one day I can start up my own workshop and my own batik. I’ve actually submitted a proposal to an authority,” he reveals.

His seven years working beside Hj Zainal have built up his skill considerably, and he designs small patterns at his own home, using them for his family and even selling a few designs to friends. His involvement has also spilled over into the next generation.

“My first three children are all interested. My eldest (19-year old daughter) although working helps me a lot with my own batik at home.”

If Bruneian batik cannot be truly called a traditional art form, it can in its own right, be considered as a new tradition. And while 12 years of Bruneian batik hasn’t exactly resulted in an explosion of enthusiasts, perhaps the few consummate individuals are enough to carry this tradition into Brunei’s future.

Brunei Times
http://www.bt.com.bn/features/2013/11/07/new-tradition-brunei-batik

Techniques of Producing Batik Design by 'Chanting'

One of many techniques in producing making Batik design is by using a tool called 'CHANTING'.  By incorporating natural resources, such designs are produced more creatively.  In this regard, local youths are encouraged to identify potential opportunities in Brunei Darussalam to develop the demand for Batik as a high-value and world-known product in the future.

The Embassy of Republic of Indonesia in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport had organized ' The Batik Workshop With Natural Dyes ' held here for the first time. According to the embassy's Counsellor, the workshop was well received by the participants and he hoped that it will provide more ideas as well as expanding Brunei's economy through creative field. Deny Tri Basuki added, the nation has great potential in further developing its economy especially in terms of blending natural colours for textile materials.

Deny Tri Basuki also observed that Brunei Darussalam have vast areas of rain forests with its rich flora, hence they believed economic potential in this field can be achieved. This was evident with their recent discovery of yellow-coloured sap found inside a small tree branch which can be used as  a natural Batik dye, all in once proved that Brunei's natural resources are indeed possess the said potential for natural dyes in textile manufacturing industry. He further explained that the workshop explores the idea of integrating natural dyes in Batik textiles without using chemical colours is made possible.

The two-day programme was conducted by a professional expert from Indonesia to guide the participants on how to learn to produce a good Batik design as a valuable product by using only natural colours extracted from plants found abundantly in the country. Workshop instructor and researcher, Venny Afwany Alamsyah provided an insight on producing great Batik designs using Chanting technique which is actually one of the tools used in creating Indonesian Batik. She went on to say that participants got the chance to know and learn all about the whole process of making Batik as well as explored possible ways to make good use of the nation's natural resources for natural dyes.

It is hoped that the sharing of information to make good quality batik as reflected in this workshop, local community and youths will be able to give new input in expanding creative arts in Brunei Darussalam.

source :

http://www.rtbnews.rtb.gov.bn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13732%3Atechniques-of-producing-batik-design-by-chanting&Itemid=80