Cultural Documentation Through Books, Menbud encourages the South Sumatra Heritage to go global

JAKARTA - The Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fadli Zon, emphasized the importance of documenting culture through books so that local heritage is not lost in time. The affirmation was delivered during the launch of the book Selayang Kemilau Bhumi Lima Negeri at the National Library of Indonesia, Jakarta, Thursday (22/1).

The book, a collaboration between Gramedia Pustaka Utama and Putri Bumi Sriwijaya, documents the richness of traditional women's clothing from South Sumatra, Lampung, Bengkulu, Jambi, and Bangka Belitung. Fadli called this book a serious work based on research, not just a visual compilation.

"What Putri Bumi Sriwijaya did is a real contribution to the advancement of culture. The process is long, the research is in-depth, starting from artifacts, data, to photos," said Fadli.

He assessed that cultural documentation through books is in line with the mandate of Article 32 of the 1945 Constitution. According to him, culture that is not documented will only survive as oral stories and is at risk of being lost.

Fadli also encouraged cultural books to be translated into international languages and available in digital format so as to reach a global audience. "Publish or perish. If it is not published, cultural memory can disappear," he said.

In addition to the role of publishers, Fadli emphasized the community as the spearhead of the preservation of local wisdom. Documentation by the community is considered in line with the preservation program of Indonesia's Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Chairman of the Earth Princess Sriwijaya, Prinny Harun Sohar, said that the impetus to expand public knowledge was the main spirit of the book's compilation. Meanwhile, the Head of the Main Editor of Gramedia Pustaka Utama, Andi Tarigan, assessed that this book represents the face of Indonesian diversity.

The book launch was attended by a number of cross-sector figures, including representatives of ministries, local governments in southern Sumatra, as well as cultural and media activists.

Fadli hopes that Selayang Kemilau Bhumi Lima Negeri will become an important reference for young generations in understanding the fabrics, ornaments, and cultural expressions of South Sumatra. "This is a store of knowledge, not just an archive," he said.