Batik is a traditional process of applying wax and dyes to fabric to achieve intricate and colourful patterns. The tradition of batik is particularly prevalent on the Indonesian island of Java and was handed down from generation to generation and was usually an occupation of village women. Over time the process has evolved from a hand-drawn technique known as batik tulis, where the designs In September 2009, UNESCO recognized batik as an intangible cultural heritage, prompting efforts to safeguard this cultural textile heritage. In Indonesia today, locals and tourists alike can often be seen proudly wearing batik clothing, connecting them to the country's rich cultural past. Besides being a symbolic icon to Indonesians, batik is also an important source of income for the local communities. Approximately 37 percent of Indonesia's total batik export is shipped to the US - the largest importer of Indonesian batik - followed by South Korea, Japan, Germany, Great Britain and the Netherlands. The term for puppetry, wayang, comes from the Indonesian word for shadow bayang . Wayang kulit, shadow puppetry using figures made from water buffalo hide, is considered to be the oldest freestanding puppet form; the earliest references to it date from the 800s. A court poet during the reign of King Airlangga (1035-1049) wrote: "There are .

why is batik important to indonesia