Stitching the Past into the Present: Unveiling Motivations of Traditional Batik Makers

Despite the international popularity of Indonesian batik and the recognition of traditional batik-making as a specifically Indonesian cultural practice, fewer Indonesians choose batik makers as their profession. This study explores the motivations for becoming and remaining the producers of traditional Indonesian batik, an aspect that has been understudied. We use the positive deviance method, Ryan and Deci’s self-determination theory, and Bourdieu’s notion of doxa and habitus, to deepen our explanations. Using the life-story approach, we interviewed thirty traditional batik producers, both entrepreneurs, and workers, in-depth about their motivations. We found that in terms of motivation, there are two distinguishable groups: descendants and newcomers. Bourdieu’s notions of doxa and habitus provide insights into the motivations of descendants. They were often driven by family traditions and ties. All producers were driven by the core motivations of the SDT: (1) the desire for autonomy, (2) competence, and (3) the need for belonging. However, the first two motivations were particularly powerful among newcomers. Our study not only sheds light on the motivations of existing producers of traditional batik but also provides valuable insights for securing the future of batik as a traditional textile from Indonesia.