There are many places to visit in Jakarta, and a unique experience which visitors will never
forget is the Textile Museum in Jakarta. Located in the Tanah Abang area of Central Jakarta the
museum is housed in an imposing and aesthetically pleasing European-style building.
The visitor will see a diverse and fascinating collection of traditional textiles originating
from many far-flung regions of the vast nation of Indonesia. Each of the varied exhibits is
accompanied with a label providing valuable information, such as the place of origin, material,
purpose and production techniques of each item. The visitor will discover intriguing facts, for
example that men from the rural regions in Kalimantan dress in clothes fashioned from processed
bark, crafted to resemble smooth textiles, and that the Sumatran city of Palembang features its own
distinctive batiks.
Guests will encounter a well-maintained garden after which they will reach a large hall
featuring the numerous plants which are utilized as natural dyes in creating textiles. For example,
tender teak leaves are used to colour cloth with a maroon colour.
A popular feature at the Textile Museum is the instructional courses offered to people
interested in learning the art of colouring and decorating textiles. Participants learn the
art of creating patterns on fabric and applying wax on the drafted motifs. Even those who are not
adept at drawing will not be at a disadvantage as motifs are available which can be copied on to
the cloth. After the completion of the dyeing procedure, the wax is boiled off and the batik cloth
is sun-dried. Advanced courses are offered for those who are interested in mastering the art.