Japanese and Malaysian Students Learn Batik Making in Probolinggo
Probolinggo, East Java — Students from Japan, Malaysia, and the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) have visited the Batik Tulis Ronggo Mukti workshop in Sidomukti Village, Probolinggo Regency, East Java, to learn the art of batik.
“The group, consisting of 19 students from Japan, three students from Malaysia, four ITS students, and two lecturers from Japan, gained a closer look at traditional batik while learning basic batik techniques directly from local artisans in Probolinggo,” said Mahrus Ali, the owner of Batik Tulis Ronggo Mukti, in a statement on Sunday.
According to him, the arrival of international students presents a valuable opportunity to introduce Batik Tulis Ronggo Mukti more widely to the international community. He expressed his hope that more people from both domestic and overseas regions would become acquainted with Ronggo Mukti’s batik production. Through broader recognition, it is hoped that local batik will have the opportunity to expand and reach wider markets.
He hopes that visits from students of various nations can serve as a gateway for Batik Tulis Ronggo Mukti to gain international recognition. This, in turn, would ensure that the development of the batik business not only sustains tradition but also creates new economic opportunities for the local community through increased production and marketing activities.
“The hope is that through these visits from international students, Batik Tulis Ronggo Mukti will become more globally recognised, thereby creating more employment opportunities,” he added.
The visit demonstrates that local batik possesses significant appeal as part of educational and cultural tourism. Direct interaction between international students and artisans provides an experience that introduces the cultural richness of Probolinggo Regency to the world.
While at the site, the students did not only receive explanations regarding Batik Tulis Ronggo Mukti; they also participated in practical batik-making sessions, learning basic techniques and attempting to apply their creativity onto T-shirt media.
The Japanese and Malaysian students expressed their delight in gaining hands-on experience with the batik process while learning more about the batik culture flourishing in Probolising Regency.
For the students from Japan and Malaysia, the experience provided an opportunity to understand batik not merely as a craft product, but as a cultural element involving a long and meticulous process.
Minami, one of the participants from Japan, stated that the visit was conducted as both tourism and education regarding batik and culture, allowing students to interact directly with batik entrepreneurs and try the motif-making process on T-shirts themselves.
The practical experience was noted to provide a different level of understanding compared to learning about batik solely through books or digital information. Furthermore, the two Japanese lecturers accompanying the group expressed their appreciation for the efforts of Batik Tulis Ronggo Mukti in preserving traditional batik.
They showed respect to the owner, Mahrus Ali, for his persistence in maintaining, preserving, and developing traditional batik.
The visit of these international students also served as a space for knowledge and cultural exchange. While the students gained insight into one of Indonesia’s cultural treasures, local batik entrepreneurs gained the opportunity to introduce their products to students from Japan and Malaysia.