Indonesia Proposes Kolintang To Become WBTB To UNESCO

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JAKARTA - The Indonesian government is undergoing the process of proposing Kolintang musical instruments to become an intangible cultural heritage (WBTB) to the UN Agency for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO), through an additional scheme.

Director of Cultural Protection of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Culture, Judi Wahjudin, when contacted in Jakarta, Saturday, explained that Indonesia originally proposed a musical instrument from Minahasa, North Sulawesi Province, as the UNESCO WBTB in a single nomination scheme, but West Africa had already registered a musical instrument similar to the name Balafon. Because there is already a relatively similar registered musical instrument, we in an effort to add Kolintang as UNESCO's WBT (TAKE Cultural Heritage) through an extension scheme (addition, ed.), so it is added and included in one group of musical instruments," he said.

He explained that the registration of cultural heritage to UNECO was not a form of cultural claim belonging to one country, but an initial commitment to jointly preserve culture. "In fact, what should be considered is that, after being proposed to UNESCO, the cultural heritage will be done. So that's a sign of mutual commitment," he said. He said that currently UNESCO is promoting a choice of joint nomination scheme or addition nominations for countries that want to register their respective cultural heritages, apart from a single nomination scheme whose registration process is once every two years.. "So it's not an impression that this cultural heritage is taken by other countries, but that there are local values that turn out to be universal and can be recognized together so that they are included in one group, "said Judi.

Regarding various cultural heritages that did not pass the determination by UNESCO, he explained, there are several factors, one of which is because the data is incomplete, such as at least having a maestro and being remembered by two generations and there are traditions and communities that are still encouraging.

In addition, there are universal world values that must be fulfilled by any cultural heritage that will be registered with UNESCO.