Author: Joy Totah Hilden, 2010. 270pg. (English)
Publisher: Arabian Publishing Limited, United Kingdom
The author discusses the weaving techniques of the Bedouin in relation to their transitional lifestyle as they shift from centuries of nomadic living to becoming either semi-settled or fully settled. Her work is particularly relevant today, as many tribal communities are losing their cultural traditions, along with their crafts and essential materials for everyday life in the desert.
Author: I.C. van Hout, 2011. Second edition. 175 pg. (English)
Publisher: KIT Publishers, Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam
Research clearly shows that carrying human infants significantly enhances their intelligence and fosters essential qualities such as trust, affection, intimacy, love, and happiness. Notably, the countries with the lowest levels of violence are those where babies are routinely carried by their caregivers. This book examines global practices for carrying infants and provides a comprehensive historical overview of baby carriers from ancient times to the present. Additionally, it addresses crying behavior and emphasizes the importance of colors, shapes, designs, and materials used by different communities for their baby carriers.
Author: Hartono Sumarsono, Helen Ishwara, L.R Supriyapto Yahya, Xenia Moeis, 2013, 240 pgs, (Indonesian), Softcover
Publisher: Kencana Ungu, Jakarta
In this second volume of Hartono Sumarsono’s batik collection, the author invites readers to engage in a meticulous examination of the intricate motifs adorning both the head and body of North Coastal batiks. Particular attention is devoted to the papan—the vertical board-like element extending from top to bottom of the sarong—as well as the ornamental borders framing each textile. Beyond aesthetic analysis, the volume also addresses the fluctuations within the batik industry, highlighting its cyclical prosperity and decline. The author underscores the emergence of unconventional patterns in distinctive pieces and situates batik within a broader cultural framework as a medium of narrative expression. These narratives range from traditional wayang epics to modern popular culture, including the 1930s comic-strip hero “Flash Gordon” and Charles Perrault fairy-tale figure “Cinderella”. Batik is further explored as a visual archive, capable of recording and transmitting historical events through its symbolic language.
Author: Hartono Sumarsono et al, 2013. 239 pg. (Indonesian)
Publisher: Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia, Jakarta
"Benang Raja," which translates to "King's Yarn," explores the beauty of Javanese North Coastal Batik while addressing issues related to copying and repetition in production. It focuses specifically on batiks from Lasem and the evolving techniques that respond to changing demands. The author discusses "pakem," the fundamental elements of batik design, and highlights how Pekalongan batikers have embraced creativity to produce extraordinary and beautiful works that break from traditional rules.
Author: Jill Forshee, 2000, 266pg. (English). Softcover.
Publisher: University of Hawaii, USA
The book successfully integrates personal life narratives, historical accounts of intercultural contact, and analyses of trade and commerce with a nuanced interpretation of cultural encounters between tourists and local communities. The result is a work that, while theoretically sophisticated, remains accessible, personal, and engaging. Its interdisciplinary scope makes it particularly well-suited for undergraduate courses in art, tourism, globalization, and symbolism, as well as for broader curricula on Southeast Asian cultures.
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