Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Reog Ponorogo, a traditional dance from Ponorogo, East Java, has officially been designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) by UNESCO. The announcement was made during the 19th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Asunción, Paraguay, on Tuesday, December 3.
The dance has been added to UNESCO’s list under the category “In Need of Urgent Safeguarding,” highlighting the importance of preservation efforts.
“The Indonesian government, in collaboration with local communities, has taken significant steps to safeguard Reog Ponorogo. These include documentation, promotion, and integrating it into formal, informal, and non-formal education systems,” said Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, as reported by Antara on Wednesday, December 4.
“We are also empowering local art communities as the primary custodians of this cultural heritage,” he added.
Indonesia’s Ambassador to UNESCO, Mohammad Oemar, who led the Indonesian delegation to the session, shared the news and expressed gratitude for the collective efforts behind Reog Ponorogo’s recognition.
“This recognition not only underscores the significance of Reog’s art but also reaffirms our commitment to preserving Indonesia’s cultural identity for future generations,” Oemar stated.
Expanding Indonesia’s Cultural Heritage on the Global Stage
Reog Ponorogo is the latest addition to Indonesia’s growing list of UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage items. As of December 4, Indonesia has 14 items on the list, including the keris and wayang (2008), batik (2009), angklung (2010), and the Saman dance (2011).
Other notable entries including Papua’s noken bag (2012), Three traditional Balinese dances (2015), Pinisi boat-making (2017), Pencak silat (2019), Pantun poetry (2020), Gamelan (2021), Jamu health traditions (2023)
Reog Ponorogo, The Traditional Performance Art of East Java
Future Submissions
The Indonesian government has also submitted additional cultural heritage items for consideration, including the kebaya, a traditional blouse, and the Kolintang, a Minahasan musical instrument.
“The kebaya is a joint submission with Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand,” Minister Fadli Zon noted.
The recognition of Reog Ponorogo as an ICH emphasizes the urgency of protecting and promoting Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage in a rapidly modernizing world. As one of the nation’s iconic art forms, it symbolizes the importance of identity, resilience, and creativity within Indonesia’s diverse cultural landscape.
(Raidi/Agung)
