Indonesia targets 1,038 intangible cultural heritage items in 2026

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Culture Ministry received 1,534 intangible cultural heritage (WBTb) proposals from 38 provinces during the submission period from Jan. 26 to Feb. 6, 2026.

"The designation of WBTb is based on the results of sessions where the WBTb expert team assesses proposals submitted by provincial, district, and city governments," Culture Minister Fadli Zon said at a press conference here on Friday.

During the first evaluation session held from June 30 to July 4, 2026, the expert panel recommended 260 proposals for formal designation.

A second session held from Aug. 31 to Sept. 5, 2026, yielded an additional 290 recommended proposals.

As of October 2026, a total of 550 proposals have received recommendations, representing 55% of the annual target of 1,000 WBTb designations.

Subsequent evaluation sessions scheduled for early November are expected to push the total designations to 1,038.

"This is another extraordinary achievement, a record-breaker. So if it can be a thousand, why should it be hundreds, when our potential is tens of thousands of proposals," Zon said.

The submitted proposals span five primary cultural domains. Under oral traditions and expressions, nominated items include the Marinai oral tradition and chant (West Sumatra), Buri Wolio traditional script (Southeast Sulawesi), and Kweritop string game (South Papua).

In the performing arts domain, recommendations include the Ratoh Taloe dance (Aceh), Keroncong Betawi traditional music (Jakarta), and Dansa Katreji dance (Maluku).

Customs, rites, and celebratory events include Garebeg Mulud Dal (Yogyakarta), the Tumpek Holy Day (Bali), and Nyeser (West Kalimantan).

Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe cover traditional wisdom such as Karo oil (North Sumatra), Cimande bone-setting therapy (West Java), and Egek (West Papua).

Traditional craftsmanship proposals feature Trusmi batik (West Java), Ogoh-Ogoh figures (Bali), and Naniura culinary tradition (North Sumatra).

Zon projected that the new additions will bring Indonesia's total national WBTb designations from 2013 through 2026 to approximately 3,765 items.

Indonesia previously recognized 2,727 intangible cultural heritage items across all provinces between 2013 and 2025, including 17 shared heritage designations.

Zon emphasized that securing WBTb status strengthens global recognition of Indonesia's cultural wealth while driving public awareness to ensure heritage preservation.

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Translator: Hreeloita, Kenzu
Editor: Arie Novarina
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