Banyuwangi batik enters Netherlands market
Banyuwangi batik enters Netherlands market
By Singgir Kartana
BANYUWANGI, East Java (JP): The big names on the map of batik
in the country are Surakarta, Yogyakarta and Pekalongan. But
Banyuwangi?
It may not mean much at home but some of its producers are
trying to establish its reputation in overseas markets,
particularly in the Netherlands.
They are staking their claims to compete with the major
producers through making high quality fabrics bearing the
distinctive, Balinese-influenced Gajah Uling motif.
Home-based batik production has developed in Ragajampi, Glagah
and Banyuwangi subdistricts in recent years, with exports
beginning five years ago.
Ana Balqis, who owns a workshop on Jl. Dedali Putih in
Banyuwangi, opened her business in 1982. After exhibiting her
batik in forums both local and national, and doing a brisk
business into the bargain, she is now coordinating batikmakers in
Banyuwangi subdistrict.
She is optimistic that one day the batikmakers will be able to
compete with their more celebrated colleagues from Central Java.
"In every exhibition, the first product that we introduce is
Gajah Uling batik. I want this unique batik product to gain
popularity outside Banyuwangi," she said.
"In my opinion, Banyuwangi batik is as good as the batik
products from other regions."
Ana began exporting her products to Singapore last year; she
also has a representative in the Netherlands, with orders
projected to increase five-fold.
"I opted (for the Dutch market) solely because the Dutch
people have quite a high level of respect for Javanese cultural
products, particularly batik," she noted.
There is no official record of when Banyuwangi batik first
came on the market, but the development of the industry in the
area began about 1970.
Batikmakers acknowledged that their batik was strongly
influenced by the traditions of Bali, which lies only a few
kilometers across the Bali Strait from Banyuwangi.
The Gajah Uling motif is similar to the motifs found on
Balinese woven cloth for women, with dark red, dark green and
dark brown being the predominant colors. Drawings on the batik
vary although those of plants and leaves, including seaweed,
ferns and cassava, predominate. It may be related to the agrarian
nature of the Banyuwangi community. Natural coloring agents, such
as indigo and those derived from other plant sources, have long
been used in the area.
Most batik products now undergoing development in Banyuwangi
are handmade in materials ranging from cotton to silk. Prices
range between Rp 17.500 and Rp 1 million per piece. She added
that there were special products which would be sold for Rp 3
million.
"If the material is silk, the price of the batik will be
millions of rupiah. One of the reasons for this high price is
that the batik must be steeped in water for a longer period of
time, sometimes up to five days, when it is being dyed. This
longer period is needed to ensure that the color will be good and
not easily fade," said Suhaimi, 41, a batikmaker from Glagah.
Much more needs to be done before Banyuwangi batik will be
able to compete with the big centers of Central Java. The
distinctive Gajah Uling motif, although pleasing on the eye, is
monotone and there does not seem to be an effort to experiment
with new, more modern variations which would appeal to younger
consumers.
Part of the problem is that many of those operating cottage
industries still lack knowledge about design and business
management, instead relying on traditional practices.
Some believe it is the responsibility of the regency to
support the batikmakers in their efforts. With their support, the
quality and production quantity may increase and batik may some
day become the regency's main export.