The History of The African Batik
Batik is a dyeing procedure or technique used on fabrics to produce one-of-a-kind designs and works of art. It is made from the countries Nigeria, Cameroon, and Mali in West Africa, some countries in East Africa, as well as many other countries all throughout the Asian continent. Experts disagree on the origins of this craft; some groups claim that it originally came from China, others say it came from Egypt, and still others would say it came from the Middle East. Although this is considered a very ancient and traditional form of art, no other method or technique has ever come close to producing the same distinct results that batik has been known for.
Batik has grown in popularity over the years. Each country that produces or manufactures these handmade works of art have been known for distinct batik designs and patterns that are uniquely its own. African batik, in particular, possesses its own distinct characteristics that set it apart from Indonesian, Indian, Chinese and other different types of batik. The main difference of this type batik from the others is the technique being employed to create different designs and patterns. Unlike other types of batik, in making African batik, a paste-like substance made from flour and water is used (instead of wax, for example) to decorate the textile or fabric. This substance is used to draw the outlines of designs or patterns and the inner part of the outlines are colored and filled with various colors of fabric paint. The fabric is then left to dry in the sun and washed in order to take out any residue of the paste-like substance. Unique African prints and images are then produced as a result of this exceptional and exclusive process.
The art of batik has been the primary source of income for the people in certain parts of Africa. Two very notable African personalities are worth mentioning for their great contributions in the evolution and development of this unique art form: brothers Henry Lutalo Lumu and David Kibuuka. These brothers revolutionized the craft and provided limitless opportunities for the African people to express themselves artistically, while earning a decent income at the same time. Other famous African artists that carved a name for themselves in the world of batik art include Wasswa, Senkoto, Mutyaba, Sekanwagi, Lukenge, Mugalula, Mungaya, Lubega, Nyanzi, Nsonko, and Gogo. All of these people contributed greatly to the development and progress of the uniquely African brand of batik art.
About the Author: Cooper Toms writes about the history of the African Batik and how it is an exceptional and uniquely expressive art form. No two batiks are alike, which makes them just that much more special to own.
More articles by decor4u
Print Article | Download PDF | 32 views | Apr 29 2008
|
|
