Shopping for Malaysia Batik in Penang
A batik artist at work in Penang
There are lots of places in Penang where tourists can acquire some high quality batik, including the shopping malls, markets and direct from the factory. There are many vendors offering superb merchandise at reasonable prices if you stray a little from the main tourist areas. Although you can certainly find some bargains at Batu Ferringhi night market, your haggling skills will be put to the test in order to get yourself a fair price. If you fancy going to the source, we have all the information you require for shopping for batik in Penang right here.
The word ‘batik’ means ‘writing in wax’ and refers to how delicate patterns are embedded in the fabric in wax and then the desired colours are subsequently dyed in place. Then the batik artist repeats this process until all desired shades have been added and the complete effect is achieved. The wax is then removed by ironing the garment with some paper to absorb the melting liquid, although steaming or boiling is the traditional method of achieving this.
Batik is a method of decoration prevalent in many different Asian countries, but it is originally attributed to ancient Egypt with examples of batik unearthed in tombs dating back two millennia. But it is on the Indonesian island of Java when the trend truly took off and from the 13th century it is East Malaysia which was commonly regarded as producing the world’s best batik.
Malaysian literature mentions batik production as early as the 1600s with legend reputing that Sultan Mahmud instructed Laksamana Hang Nadim to return from India with 140 pieces of batik serasah cloth decorated with 40 floral species. But when Nadim was unable to find any at his destination he decided to make his own instead. But, as luck would have it, the seasoned adventurer’s ship sunk on this return journey and he could only salvage four items to present to the less-than-impressed Sultan.
In modern times, the Malaysian government has adopted batik cloth as a kind of uniform of choice, treating it as the embodiment of the new national identity. Local tailors and fashion designers have been charged with producing batik designs and it is common to see batik shirts worn by Malaysian dignitaries at official occasions instead of the universal suit-and-tie. To this end, civil servants are urged to wear batik every fortnight on the first and 15th day of the month.
Buying batik in Penang
Although individual batik patterns used to be an identifying mark of a particular family or tribe, contemporary fashion houses today mix and match different patterns without any reference to their significance culturally. People looking to buy batik in Penang will be able to find beach towels, sarongs, shirts and even underclothes with the iconic images.
A batik factory tour in Penang
Malaysian designer Eric Tho is famous for using batik patterns in his dresses and shirts while every type of modern household furnishings including cushions, bedspreads and even duvet covers can be purchased in Penang with authentic batik prints. Modern designers tend to use tropical imagery which sells better in the west rather than geometric patterns that more characterised Malaysian batik historically.
One of the best locations visitors may shop for batik in Penang is at some of the city’s markets, especially Little Penang Street Market. This takes place on the last Sunday of each month with around 70 craft stalls whose vendors are carefully screened to ensure their wares truly demonstrate the culture and heritage of the island-state. (Upper Jalan Penang, 10:00 – 17:00, Tel: +60 (0)16 488 3632, littlepenang@gmail.com)
Another good choice for those short of time is Maphilindo (217 Jalan Penang, Georgetown) where there is a huge selection of batik styles and prints from artwork to clothing. This quaint shop comes highly recommended and items on sale here are only produced with vegetable dyes and come with a guarantee of quality.
Penang Batik Factory is another good place to try (651 Mukim II Swd, Teluk Bahang, Tel: +60 (0)4 885 1284) as here is an opportunity to watch the dying and weaving process take place close up. Visitors may talk to the extremely knowledgeably craftsmen and get a detailed history of batik production in Penang, as well as pick up a few examples at the same time.
Maintaining batik
Batik cloth must be treated carefully to protect it from fading and premature deterioration. Batik must be hand-washed or preferably merely soaked in warm soapy water and then rinsed. Squeezing the cloth can make colours run if they have not properly set so just allow them to drip dry out of direct sunlight which can also fade patterns. Do not spray batik with perfume or iron the cloth directly, opting to steam the fabric instead.
