|
 |  |
About BatikBatik is perhaps the most popular traditional handicraft of Malaysia. It is a technique for dyeing textile that may include the use of wax and some times block printing. Nowadays, there are also fabrics that are created to mimic the look of batik, but without being produced using the batik techniques.Although batik is a popular artform in Malaysia, it is believed to have originated in Indonesia. Other claims of origin traces batik to the Middle East as well as to Africa. The most distinctive tool used in doing batik is canting, a tool used to apply wax to the fabric. The canting tool has a small metal cup to hold the wax, with a spout to apply the wax to the fabric. The wax allows colours to remain separated, as well as to prevent colours from penetrating spaces they are not supposed to go. The wax used is a mix of beeswax and paraffin wax. Paraffin wax creates cracking effect which is a characteristic of batik. In addition, resin is added to the wax to help the wax "hold the line". In batik painting, spot colours are applied to the fabric directly, and the wax keeps the colours in place. When painting batik, the artist dilutes the colour with water to create shades and hues. After the painting is done, the fabric is boiled to release the wax. At the turn of the 20th century, Javanese batik makers introduced the use of copper blocks, or "chop" to batik. This revolutionised the way batik is created, enabling the creation of batik fabric with consistent pattern. In Malaysia, batik is most popular as a cottage industry in Terengganu. There are also small batik factories thorughout the country, and the fabric is sold in most tourist outlets. |
 Batik (18 July 2009) © Timothy Tye using this photo  Batik (18 July 2009) © Timothy Tye using this photo |
Malaysia Hotel Room Price CheckerBefore booking a hotel room, make sure you are getting the lowest price for it. Different hotel booking websites offers the same room at different prices. If you stick with one site all the time, you could be paying more for the same room. Now why pay more?The form below is a Research Engine. It doesn't take bookings. Instead it lets you find the hotel booking website that offers the room you want at the lowest price. You can see and compare what different sites are offering, and then click to choose the one with the best price. Do this, and you're guaranteed to save a whole lot of money on your room reservations! |
Flight CheckerFlying somewhere? Say you're going to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Penang or Kuching to Singapore, which airline gives you the best rate for the date and time of your trip? Instead of visiting each airline website one by one, use our Flight Checker on the right to find out.Just enter you trip details: where you will be flying to, your departure date and return date. Select the number of passengers, and then click search. Our engine will return you a list of possible flights that you can take. You can compare the fare of different airlines for your trip. Click on your selected airline, and we transfer you to the airline website. |
Return to Exploring Malaysia homepageMy message introducing God to all the world: THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO TIM  Copyright © 2003-2010 Exploring Malaysia. All rights reserved. |
|
|
 Exploring Malaysia is researched and written by Timothy Tye. Content and articles in Exploring Malaysia are provided in goodwill and are believed to be correct at time of writing. While every reasonable care is taken to check and verify the information shared, Exploring Malaysia disclaims responsibility for its use. All pages may be printed out for your own personal, non-commercial use. Photographs appearing in Exploring Malaysia are available according to the licensing terms specified in its caption. Photographs not credited to a third party belong to Timothy Tye and may not be reused in any form unless you are first given permission. Write in to inquire if interested. Third party photographs are governed by their respective licenses. Contact Tim at the following email address:  |
