update: link to the Cirebon gallery added
I have been lucky enough to be part of this.
I was born in the city of Cirebon, one of the popular place that produces batik, and with its own style, its Mega-mendung signature pattern is well known throughout the country, even the region as one of the most unique creation of Batik patterns. I’ve written about it in the Jakarta Post earlier this year and I have also since revisited for a planned followup feature that is yet to see the light.
Featured here are some photographs on how batik is made. it was meant to become a companion gallery to the Post’s article but they refuse to link them, you may read the original article online here.
You may also see what Cirebon is like here.
On a secondary note, a heart-wracking incident occurred a few days prior to the official announcement, at about 5:00 pm, September 30th, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck just offshore of the town of Padang in Sumatra, a neighboring island of Java, and later another one struck in Jambi with similar impact. Many have pledge their support to help, including President Obama of the USA:
Indonesia is an extraordinary country that’s known extraordinary hardship from natural disasters. I know firsthand that the Indonesian people are strong and resilient and have the spirit to overcome this enormous challenge.
There are many ways to support, but the easiest one I found is through Oxfam’s East-Asia Disasters Appeal. Act now and let’s start caring for mother nature, we only have one.