CANDLE (“MALAM”)
Candle or “malam” is the material used to make batik. Actually “malam” isn’t used up (lost), because finally it will taken back in the washing process,the making process till becoming batik cloth. In term of “malam”, it can be explained as follows :
The Kinds of Malam and Its Mixture
Malam” that is used for making batik has various types. The quality affects on the absorption power, color that can affect mori color , the softnes of the liquid, etc.
Therefore, its prices are different one another. But in our usage, it depends on the need.
The types of “malam” are :
a)“Malam Tawon” (bee) is “malam” that is taken from bee nest (tolo tawon). Tolo tawon is separated from the eggs by boiling them.
b)“Malam Klanceng” is “malam” from the nest of Klanceng bee, and taken by the same way above.
c)“Malam Timur” is the best “malam”. This type hasn’t been known about the material.
d)“Malam Sedang”(middle malam) the material and origin hasn’t been known.
e)“Malam Putih” (white malam) taken from latung oil made in factory.
f)“Malam Kuning” (yellow malam) taken from latung oil made in factory.
g)“Malam Songkal” taken from latung oil made in factory. Its color is black and only for mixture.
Keplak is the mixture material.
Gandarukem is the mixture material.