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In Pontinanak, a very Dayak batik
On sale: Visitors from other parts of Indonesia like to buy Dayak batik by the meter, according to vendors
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On sale: Visitors from other parts of Indonesia like to buy Dayak batik by the meter, according to vendors.
Near the Catholic church on Jl. Pattimura in Pontianak, visitors can find a host of stores selling traditional handicrafts of the province's Dayak people ' along with a surprising addition: batik.
However, the colors of the batik here are mostly bright reds, yellows and greens ' in stark contrast to the subdued colors of Central Java.
'In general visitors only know Dayak batik from Central Kalimantan and East Kalimantan, said Protasius Ilek, a batik buff and an employee for the West Kalimantan administration. 'Actually, the typical Dayak batik of West Kalimantan started its existence in 1990s.'
The batik motifs on display on Jl. Pattimura typically use sacred symbols, such as wooden shields and hornbills with sharpened and curved beaks. Hamid Usman, owner of a batik stall on Jl. Pattimura, said that bright reds, light yellows, pinks and greens were the most popular colors for local batik buffs.
'Three kinds of materials are used for the type of batik typical to West Kalimantan: satin, cotton and silk,' Hamid said. 'Buyers favor cotton batik very much. It is less expensive. It can absorb sweat.'
Meanwhile, Seng Effendy, the owner of Kapuas stall, said that the goods he sold were imported from Sintang regency ' eight hours' drive to the north of Pontianak, and a place well known for its fabrics.
Achmad Safril, who owns Harco batik shop on nearby Jl. Nusa Indah, says that his monthly revenue can top Rp 15 million. 'Many people, especially those from Jakarta, Bandung and Surabaya, purchase typical Dayak batik by the roll or meter for souvenirs on the way back home.'
For a piece of typical Dayak batik, prices depend on the quality, complexity and motifs of the fabric. Cotton batik is priced at Rp 35,000 a meter, while silk goes for Rp 85,000 a meter. A ready-made shirt costs from Rp 65,000 to 150,000, depending on motifs and designs.
'Stamped or handmade motifs with shields and hornbills are a bit expensive. It can cost at least Rp 150,000 a meter,' said Yohanis Entungan, who has been a vendor since 1990. 'However, buyers never bargain.'
'The process of printing or painting is similar to that in other areas in Java,' Yohanis, who once studied at the Indonesian Art Institute in Yogyakarta, said.
Stall-owner Syamsuddin said that buyers were also attracted to products, such as typical bead caps, machetes and bead-coated ties.
'Typical bead caps, bead-coated ties and customary bead vests are now typically worn for office events, customary celebrations, pesta naik dango [harvest feasts] and Communion services,' said Laurensius, owner of Arwana stall.
Sutono, the owner of another nearby stall, said that making such goods took time.
'It takes at least a week to produce a bead cap, two weeks for customary bead vest, and three days for bead-coated tie,' Sutono said, adding that he could make up to Rp 10 million in a good month.
Ready-made products such as beaded caps, ties, customary vests, handbags, purses and the traditional bead baskets called pengambin are available at the Kranada cooperative on Jl. A Yani in Pontianak.
Handbags adorned with beads and Dayak carvings cost from Rp 300,000 to 400,000, while mandau machetes could be had for as little as Rp 75,000 and shields for between Rp 25,000 to 100,000.
The Kranada cooperative, which is run by the West Kalimantan administration, employs local craftsmen to make traditional Dayak goods for wholesalers and retailers.
Ignatius R., who runs the provincial cooperatives agency, said that the government helped fund craftsmen and workshops in Kranada and elsewhere and that local artisans were routinely sent to study carving and sculpting in Yogyakarta.
Meanwhile, Protasius said that civil servants all over West Kalimantan were required to wear Da-
yak batik on a regular basis.
'If you accidentally go to Sanggau regency, north of Pontianak, on Thursdays, you will see them in Dayak batik. They are free to choose their favorite motifs. In addition, many also don typical bead caps on Thursdays,' Protasius said.
' Photos by Markus Mardius
