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Indonesia Wears Its Heritage on Its Sleeve
October 2 is Indonesia’s National Batik Day, marking the country’s batik tradition and its recognition by UNESCO in 2009.
Artisans apply dots and lines of hot wax to cloth, then dye it. The wax protects selected areas; removing it and repeating the process builds layers of color. UNESCO’s recognition includes the techniques, symbolism, and cultural traditions surrounding the garments. Next time batik catches your eye, there’s a whole practice behind the pattern.
