The Intersections of native and global economies : 19th century Javanese batik industry

• Main Author: Koh, Ernest Kah Wee
• Other Authors: Koh Keng We
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: DRNTU::Humanities::History::Asia::Indonesia
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/73571
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Javanese batik products dominated the global economy from the 17th to the 19th century. The Javanese batik industry is an interesting area of study as it illustrates the complex market dynamics and interactions between native and foreign market dynamics and its impacts on native industries. Native producers were not subjects of change but also exerted their agencies upon foreign threats This paper explores the complexities of a changing industry within the context of a global changing economy and the impetus behind the change. Showing how seemingly autonomous changes are in fact related, this paper reveals the interconnectedness of the global textile economy. Exploring the transformations of goods and technologies, the Javanese batik industry brings fresh perspective to the study of changing industries in a global market and the challenges that were posed by different impetus behind the changes. In the greater context, this paper serves to debunk the Eurocentric narrative of colonial dominance and technological advancements. The Javanese batik industry shows clearly how a native industry, under the Dutch, eventually dominated the global textile economy.