JAKARTA - The Indonesian government through the Ministry of Culture is preparing a strategic step to register tempe as a Non-Tangible Cultural Heritage (WBTb) or Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) to UNESCO.
This process is targeted to be completed and ratified at the UNESCO ICH session scheduled for March 2026.
Endah T.D. Retnoastuti as the Director General of Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cultural Cooperation said that the proposal process had started since last year.
The limitation of the quota of the proposal from UNESCO, where each country is only allowed to submit one proposal (single nomination) every two years due to administrative constraints, makes Indonesia have to choose priorities carefully among thousands of other potential WBTb.
"Tempe was chosen because of the readiness of the data which is already very complete, ranging from in-depth research, strong documentation, to real support from various stakeholder communities," said Endah, when met at the Tempe Culture Seminar at the Kemendikbudristek Complex, Jakarta on Friday, December 19.
Later, said Endah, tempe will become the 17th WBTb from Indonesia recognized by UNESCO, following keris, batik, wayang, angklung, noken, pinisi, pantun, gamelan, jamu, kolintang, and others.
Furthermore, one of the important points in this proposal is the emphasis that tempe is not just a food, but a local knowledge system that has universal value.
With the full support of the community and stakeholders, tempe is expected to soon follow other Indonesian WBTb.
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