How My ‘Sarong Batik’ Keeps Me Safe and Secure
I got tagged by Tooth Truth and it’s about intimacy
I have a sarong batik for the longest time. My mum gave it to me. I supposed most of the ‘Peranakan’ ladies have a sarong or two tuck in their closet.
This sarong batik has followed me in my travels. It’s not a big piece, slightly bigger than an adult towel. The earthy red and purple colors are muted with a slight fade compared to when I first had it.
The material is cotton and is much softer, smoother after multiple washes. This favorite Sarong of mine has a faint lavender smell from the fabric softener. I keep it by my bed and use it when I feel chill and need something to cover.
What is a Sarong Batik?
Batik first started as a sarong. Sarong is a piece of fabric — a local cultural heritage of Malaysia with some influence from Java, Indonesia. The patterns of the material are printed using the wax and dye method. The motifs are usually flowers and animals, or they can be geometrical for Malaysian batik. It can be hand-drawn or block-stamped. It’s a laborious task, and this art comes mainly from the East Coast of Malaysia.
Side note: In case you like learning more about batik, here is a course — https://theartofeducation.edu/2016/04/05/step-step-guide-batik/
How do we use this Sarong Batik?
One of the most common uses for batik is to make Sarong. Sarong is a loose-fitting skirt worn by wrapping the cloth at your waist. Similar to how you wrap a towel around your waist.
Some use them as head covers, which I sometimes do to block the light when sleeping. Others used it as a cloth sunshade while gardening or farming (Similar to a headscarf). Mothers have used Sarong as a make-shift hammock for babies or light bed sheets. You might even see people using them as bags, washcloths or tablecloths, picnic mats.
It’s highly versatile. I have used it with my friends as a swing hung over a tree branch. The Sarong lasted longer than the tree branch. 💪
My relationship with Sarong Batik
This post got me thinking about my Sarong. For some reason, each time I travel, I would pack my Sarong. It’s as if I know I will sleep better if I have the Sarong with me. This Sarong has traveled from Chengdu to New York. I will squeeze it into my bag. Instead of a scarf, I would fold this and wrap around me or use it as cover when I am cold.
Each time when I am tired or anxious, I would wrap this Sarong around my head, or I would huddle inside like a tent with a cup of hot tea, watching pigeons shit on my terrace in my Paris apartment. (Only God knows why it has to be my terrace and not my neighbors!) 😩
But the point is, it gave me instant comfort. It felt secure as if I wrap myself in something so familiar, and it allows me a few short moments to be my old self. The smell and the feel of this old worn-out Sarong gave me a quiet, intimate, protected time from the noisy demanding world — like a smelly blanket to a child or an old soft quilt to some.
It simply was the comfort that one sought when the world became complex or incomprehensible. It’s a shelter for a few short moments while I catch my breath. I owe it to this Sarong for keeping me company during my long travel journeys. On some days, it was better than a warm hug from a friend. 🤗🤭
When I was volunteering at a refugee center, I ran a short activity, asking children to explore what brought them comfort in Malaysia. Some mentioned toys, pillows, frogs, and one boy called Aung Min mentioned ‘Uncle Saad’ — the kitchen cook. Min said, “He gives me bread when I go see him.”
Here’s what I understood.
We all go through and experience change at some point in life. However, often changes may not be as comfortable as we hope. E.g., moving to a foreign country, leaving friends, losing a loved one, new workplace, dealing with illness, etc.
Comfort can come from a person or an item (no shame or guilt) — When change happens, we often seek sanctuary to calibrate ourselves when overwhelmed. We look for people, things or place which bring us a sense of normalcy and security.
I recognize comfort can come from a person you trust or someone who provides food/shelter/clothing like in Aung Min’s case.
But beyond that, comfort can come from people who encourage you — a mentor/coach or someone who teaches you new things. It can also come from things or people who protect you or have fun with you.
For me, it is my Sarong; for Aung Min is the broken toy, but for others, it can be someone who gives them kind words or makes them happy. Similar to the story I shared about having one person believing in you.
There must be willingness — No matter how strong/busy we may be, there will always be a day where we just want to sit down and regulate our emotions. Whoever or whatever comfort seems to be, it comes only when we have the desire or the inner strength to reach out and accept it. We must be willing to let our guard down to enjoy some care for ourselves.💪
I like to thank Tooth Truth Roopa Vikesh for tagging me to a GiaB prompt. I hope I have done justice. I think the prompt is about intimacy. Otherwise, it’s just about me and my smelly Sarong batik.
I know there are rules to responding to prompts. Unfortunately, I am illiterate when it comes to them, especially when it involves writing. I feel writing is challenging enough, and we can all do it with fewer rules.
Meanwhile, let us know if you have someone or a ‘Sarong’ you have become attached to? What brings you comfort in your life? 😉
Thank you for taking the time to read. 😘
Check out Tooth Truth Roopa Vikesh’s prompt below.
My other story about friendship.
