China media claims batik is a Chinese craft, this is how Indonesians and Malaysians reacted

As Malaysians, I’ve seen us get extra protective over our food when people in other countries claim it’s not from Malaysia. I can only imagine the initial reactions Indonesian had when China Xinhua News claimed that batik is a traditional Chinese craft.

Batik is a traditional craft common among ethnic groups in China. Using melting wax and a spatula-like tool, people dye the cloth and heat it to get rid of the wax. Check out how the ancient craft evolves in modern times. #AmazingChina pic.twitter.com/4pNNECZziT

— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) July 12, 2020

The clip described batik as a traditional craft practiced by ethnic minorities in the provinces of Guizhou and Yunan in southwestern China. However, there are plenty of sources that say otherwise.

While the art form was practised in China as early as the Sui Dynasty (AD 581-618), it is more likely that the craft spread from Asia to the islands of the Malay Archipelago first. These were also silk batiks that have been discovered in Nara, Japan during the Nara period (AD 710-794).

While I do understand that wax printing existed in China as early as during the late Qin (BC 221-207) or early Han Dynasty (BC 206 – CD 220), Indonesia, most particularly the island of Java, is the area where batik has reached its greatest peak. The art form also originates from the Javanese tik and means to dot.

Now that we know a little bit about batik’s history, here’s how some Indonesian netizens responded to the claims made by China Xinhua News:

Batik originated in Indonesian Java and spread all across Asia including India and China ndo not twist this art as if it originated in China. It was from ancient times COPIED by China..

— Srinidhi (@srinidhi24) July 12, 2020

Batik is taken from Javanese 'ambatik' means to mark with spots or dots.
Be a country with pride, not just copied and claims other nation's properties.

— 𝐊𝐈Ⓚ𝐢 (@KikiNmaKecilku) July 12, 2020

This wax-resist dyeing technique has been used by the ancient people like the Egyptian, Indian, African, and Chinese… But I highly doubt that the Chinese people would call it batik. Give us a Chinese character/pinyin representing batik please? The word 'batik' is Indonesian. pic.twitter.com/Za6OILLQcZ

— txtfromdianonno (@DianOnno) July 12, 2020

There are also some Malaysians who have been commenting on Twitter regarding the feud:

Malaysia @ china trying to claim batik pic.twitter.com/BjBiLZxpMo

— A Permanently Tired Girl (@doggudoggu) July 12, 2020

However, there are also quite a few who are saying that Indonesia might not technically have full ownership to the art form:

Its root from Proto-Austronesian "bacik" which means tattoo, so it's not originally from Javanese either. Also wax resist dyeing of fabric is an ancient art form. It already existed in Egypt in the 4th century BC and again it's not originally from Javanese culture.

— ユ二　Ａ R Ｉ Ａ Ｎ Ｅ (@YuniAriane) July 12, 2020

What do you think? Is China correct to claim that the art form came from them, or is it truly an Indonesian original?

[ SOURCE, IMAGE SOURCE ]