Batik Tanah Liat, another Indonesian treasure in West Sumatra

If you consider Batik is only found in Java, you are wrong because Batik is also found in Sumatra precisely in West Sumatra. Minang people call it “Batik Tanah Liek” which means clay batik(in Indonesian language is Batik Tanah Liat). Interestingly, Minang people produce Batik immersed in clay to create different colors. Immersion process to make Batik is done before and after manufacture. Besides, dyes were derived from plants. Batik Tanah Liat is typically, you’ll look motif on batik was plant capture that found in nature. Paintings that appear as Batik Tanah Liat motif is non-figurative, emblems or symbols such as found in batik of Java.

Batik Tanah Liat have own characteristics compared with Batik of Java. Batik-making process begins by soaking the cloth to clay. Soaking is done for long lasting color and blend with the cloth. After that, the cloth is washed and then spiked with batik motifs like natural motive.

In West Sumatra there are three Batik Tanah Liat centers, Padang with Batik Monalisa, Dharmasraya and in Pesisir Selatan area. Although fellows are Batik Tanah Liat but in each region motif are vary according to topography and natural resources respectively. For example on Dharmasraya, in besides the basic motif, there is also renewal motif such as palm oil that inspired in the numerous palm plantations in this area.

Article source: http://www.moreindonesia.com/batik-tanah-liat-another-indonesian-treasure-in-west-sumatra/

Batik making process