Textile Of Bali

Textiles of Bali

The Batik of Bali provides another venue of showing the artistic excellence of the Balinese people. Their beautiful designs, inspired by religious mythologies to everyday encounters, spread throughout the world. Originally stimulated by Javanese motifs, dominated by wayang and other mythological characters, contemporary batik artists have also experienced artistic development that parallels that of paintings. Modern batik artists express themselves through various subjects, from objects of nature such as birds or fish to daily activities such as cremation (ngaben) procession or tourist attractions as well as religious and mythological stories, accompanied by modern interpretation.

The Ikat and Double Ikat are two amazing techniques that the Balinese have perfected. A piece of Ikat cloth is woven in such a way that the ink is 'tied' (which is what 'ikat' literally translates to) in one of the two threads. A Double Ikat recursively repeats this technique; both threads contain ink. The ink will bleed to its neihboring area, and the result is a piece of cloth with distinctive, subtle patterns.

The village of Tenganan is well known for its superb double ikat work. A good piece of double ikat may take months to complete, and it usually belongs to the family heirloom. Certain patterns, such as the black and white, checkered, double ikat are considered to have protective powers against the evil spirits. Thus, they are used a lot to cover or to dress statues that guard the entrance to a temple or sacred masks like Barong.

A piece of ikat shirt or a batik wrap-around, each can be had for as little as a few dollars, are must have. Local garment shops will gladly supply you with these or any other kinds of Balinese garments that might interest you.

Shoping In Paradise

Shopping in Bali is not simply walking into a shop, picking something from a shelf and paying for it. Shopping is an art. In every traditional market and art shop around Bali bargaining is a must.

This traditional way makes shopping in Bali a fun time, where you can feel the warmth of human value in every transaction. Before you begin your shopping tour on this island, please obtain cash because most places do not accept credit cards.

Even if you are not a seasoned negotiator be prepared to enjoy the bargaining process. It is a fun activity and be patient and you will get the 'best (and maybe even local) price'. In some places you can bargain until you get 50% off. Always go in at less than a third of the price (maybe even a quarter) and bargaining and even walk away, until you get the price you want. Then make sure you pay the right money.

I remember seeing a man negotiating for an umbrella on Kuta beach. He did well in the bargaining process and got the price to Rp5,000 and paid up with a Rp50,000 note. But he went away happy believing he had a bargain. Isn't that the most important part of bargaining - to be happy with your purchase. So where can you go to spend your Rupiah?


Denpasar
As the capital of Bali, Denpasar is the center of "market" activity for local people. The biggest traditional market stands near Badung's river, Kumbasari market. It can give you an insight into the traditional Indonesia market where local people do their daily shopping. Fruit, vegetables and meat can be found in the basement; on the second level is the place for spices and dried goods; while household wares, clothing, art and craft is on the third level. Here you can get a very good price if you're smart in bargaining. In the northern part is Gajahmada Street, where you can find handicrafts and some shoe shops and restaurants. In the eastern part is Sulawesi Street, the place for all kind of fabrics on its both sides with some shops providing household ware in between. The area here is very colorful with all types of material from the traditional 'songket' (cloth woven with strands of gold or silver) to modern day stretchy and shiny material. Why not buy your cloth by the meter and have a suit or dress made up by a local tailor. In the southern part is Hasanudin Street where you can see gold shops, selling jewelry to local people but, of course, the visitor is welcome to buy but please bargain. On the west Side of the market is the place for people to buy coconut leaf and ceremony supplies.

Kuta area
As an international village almost all of the shops and restaurants here are for tourist market. You can find handicrafts, clothing, jewelry, CDs, furniture and leather crafts on each side of the road. But you can also see many street hawkers with their various offerings along the road. If you do not want to buy anything from them, do not make eye contact and do not ever look at their products, for if you do, they will follow you along the street and pester you to buy something.

Sanur area
The shopping center in Sanur is on Jalan Danau Tamblingan where the situation is almost the same as Kuta but with very few hawkers. Many products are on offer in the shops and nice restaurants.

The Bypass
The Bypass is the term for Ngurah Rai Street, perhaps the widest road in Bali. If you travel from Nusa Dua to Sanur you will see on the road has many antique, pottery, natural stone and furniture stores. You can get excellent pieces and prices if you look carefully and remember to bargain.

Batubulan area
Batubulan, on the border of Denpasar and Gianyar, is the home of stone sculptures. You can find various kinds of style here, from traditional to modern, small to large. The craftsmen can make up your order and even arrange to ship it to your address back home.

Celuk area
On the way to Ubud you'll pass Celuk, the place for gold and silver jewelry. The artisans in this area are well known for their quality and various designs. Huge art shops along the main road give you a chance to compare prices.

Sukawati
This area is popular because for its Art Market. If you ask Balinese where to find art and craft with the cheapest price, they will recommend Sukawati. Here you can find cloth, paintings and statue, jewelry and also Balinese ceremonial items.

Ubud
This well-known village offers you fine arts with an international standard. Respected galleries such as Agung Rai, Sumertha, Rudana, Sika and Neka are recommended visiting as well as the big names of Hans Snel and Antonio Blanco.

Tegalalang
Various woodcarvings can be found in this village and its neighbors. Very colorful carvings of flowers, animals and other designs are displayed along the road.

Bono
This village is the home of bamboo. The villagers create furniture and mats from bamboo; they also make some articles from lontar leaf.
Kamasan
This village in Klungkung is popular with its own style of painting called Kamasan where a drawing is made in black ink then colored by natural pigments.

Tenganan
Tenganan, the Bali Aga (the original Balinese people) village in Karangasem, is the only place in Bali that produces Geringsing fabric. All the material for Geringsing is taken from nature and its process is very traditional. No chemicals are used in the process. There is a legend that when dying the cloth red, human blood was used. Nowadays a vegetable dye is used. But the price of this fabric is expensive.

Bali Handicraft News

The Balinese sculpture with natural media - wood, stone, bone, horn, deadwood, and even gnarled tree roots. Nowadays, souvenir-caliber wood carving is churned out and successful creations are mass produced. Any visitor to Bali is likely to be exposed to wood carving in all forms, be it the traditional ornate carved doors, the carved figures of gods, or the countless carved items in craft shops. Wood carving is a craft practiced all over Bali. Open your ears to the tapping sound of the carver’s mallet and you would know that there is one around. It would be taxing to separate traditional and foreign influences. However, Balinese are intense observers of the outside world, effortlessly incorporating and adapting foreign themes into their work.

For quality wood carving, head to Tegallalang, Pujung, and Sebatu, which is north of Ubud. It is a great area to meet woodcarvers; it is best to take note of the artist’s name and visit him at the workshop to negotiate a better price. Bali is a perfect place for western artists to study their crafts. There are wood carving lessons in which you can learn to carve your own mask in about three weeks.