Discover Batik in East Nusa Tenggara

Batik and Woven Textile in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (Photo: Grid.id)

The textile artisans in East Nusa Tenggara (Photo: Lodwykshop)

Sandalwood Horses, as one of Batik motif inspirations in East Nusa Tenggara (Photo: Zahrasrtn/Wikipedia)

The Story of the Golden Threads

East Nusa Tenggara is known as the Ikat woven textile region. However it has developed its own Batik by taking the inspiration from the Ikat woven textile motifs. The province’s batik motifs mostly reflect its gratitude for the blessing of God. Horses are drawn on the fabric as the symbol of prosperity.

Socio Cultural Values of Batik in East Nusa Tenggara

Since East Nusa Tenggara is known as the main woven textile region in Indonesia, the local craftsmen develop the Batik industry with the help of Javanese batik artisans. The batik motifs mostly reflect some mythical figures, animals, plants, and the abstract ideas expressing appreciation and good wishes. Each island develops its own local motif. For instance, Sumba Island is known for its animal motif and Rote Island with its leaves motif.

Batik Motifs in East Nusa Tenggara

Find the meanings

Batik Villages in East Nusa Tenggara

local batik workshop

Batik villages are the region where the Batik producers mostly reside. You could buy the Batik textiles from the artisans and participate in the making process of Batik on the site.

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EAst Nusa TenggAra

Visual Journey

in 1 Minute

Batik Production in East Nusa Tenggara

Woven Textile Production in East Nusa Tenggara

The Komodo Wonderland

EAst Nusa TenggAra

Komodo National Park, East Nusa Tenggara (photo: @Pesona Indonesia)

About East Nusa Tenggara

East Nusa Tenggara is known for its unique mixture of malay-austronesian culture and its natural biodiversity. This region is the home of the world’s protected Komodo Dragon. Komodo National Park was designated as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1991. East Nusa Tenggara is also famous for its cultural horse race, woven textile heritage, and traditional architecture, called Saoata Musalakitana stilt house. Those traditions are still well preserved by local communities since many centuries ago.

Facts about East Nusa Tenggara

East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) is a province located in the eastern part of Indonesia. Kupang is the capital city of the province. This province has a land area of 2,309,747 km square. In 2016, the population of NTT was 4.9 million. East Nusa Tenggara Province is bordered by Flores Sea to the north, West Nusa Tenggara Province to the west, the Indian Ocean to the south, and Timor Leste, Maluku Province, and the Timor Sea to the east.

Kelimutu Crater Lake or Three Colours Lake is an iconic natural site in Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. It is located on top of Kelimutu Volcano Mountain (1,639 masl), which is one of the highest mountains in this region (Photo: nttprov.go.id ).

Highlights on Culture

The indigenous tribes of this area are Alor, Atoni, Bajawa, Ende, Kemang, Lamaholot, Manggarai, Ngada tribes. The majority of the population are Protestant Christians, Catholic Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists. In the period after 1900, the kingdoms in East Nusa Tenggara had changed their status as autonomous regions. The 10 autonomous regions are located on the islands of Timor, Rote, Sabu, and Sumba, Flores, Alor-Pantar.

Another intangible cultural heritage preserved by the local community is the Sakaliti Dance from Rote Island. This traditional dance is performed at the harvesting ritual and guest welcoming ceremonies (photo: Denitrikale).