Batik Day

Batik is one of the national cultural heritages of Indonesia. Indonesian Batik was declared as Masterpieces of Humanity by UNESCO on October 2, 2009. Since then, Indonesian people always mark the 2nd October as a celebration of Batik Day. Not only does Indonesian Batik comprise the techniques and the technology, but it also embraces the development of motifs or patterns that enrich the culture and related values ​​in it..

With the theme “Batik, A way to enhance our true identity as Indonesians”, Sekolah Harapan Bangsa Modernhill took part in celebrating the commemoration of Batik Day. On Wednesday, 2nd October 2019, all of the teachers, students and employees were wearing batik clothes.

Usually, the activity during Batik Day is batik-making using canting filled with hot-melting wax called malam which is put on a hot pan. However, this time students did the batik-making using the colet technique. The colet technique is batik-making using cold liquid of malam, which is continued by colouring the batik patterns using a brush, instead of dyeing.

This year’s Batik Day was held after lunch in the school hall. Before the programme began, students were invited to watch a film about the history of batik in Indonesia and the process of batik-making using colet technique. A total of 173 students accompanied by the homeroom teachers were divided into small groups. Each group consisted of 2 people and was given a white cloth measuring 50 x 60 cm, 2 bottles containing cold liquid wax, brushes and textile dyes. This was a very fun activity which provided an amazing experience. The students were quite creative by making various patterns and colors on the white cloth.

By doing this activity, students are expected to have pride in the Indonesian culture that God has bestowed. Also, this activity is able to strengthen the sense of brotherhood and collaborative work among the students.