“Canting” : What the origin and culture taught me

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I was talking to my partner, Pak Lucky Dwiharto about our company LMWS.asia going into Indonesian market recently and about the needs for me to further understand the market segment, culture and targeted audiences, not forgetting where and who the heart holds a strong possessions (this will be in another episode :p). After a long discussion, Pak Lucky suggested (actually tricked) me into reading a book titled, Canting by Arswendo Atmowiloto.

Canting : The synopsis

Canting is about batik makers with the brand Canting. The story is in the era of yester-years in Indonesia. At its most glorious moment canting is blown with deep and powerful feelings that are blended with the owner’s breath. But nowadays, hand-painted batik that is made by using a canting is crushed and cornered with the emerging of the new print batik. Hand-painted batik takes months and months to make, but this new kind only takes a few blinks. Canting is a symbol of a defeated and isolated culture because it is considered to be time-consuming.

Canting, which is the signature of Ngabean’s batik cannot withstand the market demands. “When we acknowledge a sick culture, we must not cry, we must raise a flag instead.” Ni ( a girl who holds a bachelor degree in pharmacy, a bride-to-be from Ngabean––tries to explore hand-painted batik with a canting. However, she faces strong pressures from Pak Bei, a bold and handsome nobleman; Bu Bei, her mother, who used to be a batik painter; and her successful siblings.) decides to be un-Javanese, to be different, to go against the flow in order to survive.

Canting : The Lessons Learnt

Arswendo Atmowiloto‘s writing really captures my heart and able to to make me emotional with mixed feelings. Initially making me angry at the way the main character treating the wife and left me crying non-stop when realising about the true Javanese ngabean’s character, about the real meaning of life, ningrat or priyayi (nobleman).

The ending of the novel is very dissapointing to me. I was expecting the writer to revive the Canting batik with a rebranding (sounds like me) using Blue Ocean strategy and make it a success stories with a twist!

The Javanese Culture

The three cultural values embeded in this book : pasrah – submission to one’s fate, tawwakal – resignation or trust in God and nrimo – acquiescence to one’s fate. These beliefs are rooted to be the characteristic for Javanese culture, which has its own language, dance, music and mysticism.

A Javanese person should be striving to maintain harmonious rukun (unity), believe that an individual alone is not capable of achieving much, be willing to make sacrifices for the common good, be patient, cooperative and obedient.

Canting : Conclusion

The book has managed to a certain extend makes me understand the culture of the Javanese people, which is also mine, from my father’s side. It is a good read and it is recommended to all especially the newer generation.

“A person without the knowledge of their past, origin and culture is like a tree with no roots.”

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