Reog Ponorogo Officially Designated As UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage

Reog Ponorogo. (Ministry of Culture)

JAKARTA - Reog Ponorogo is officially included in the UNESCO Takbent Cultural Heritage List / WBTb, in the category "In Need of Urgent Safeguarding", which took place at the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Session 19 at Asunci totaling, Paraguay, on December 3, 2024.

The Indonesian Permanent Ambassador/Delegation to UNESCO, Mohamad Oemar, who served as Chair of the Indonesian Delegation at the 19th UNESCO Session Committee, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the UNESCO WBTb Committee and all parties who have contributed to the process of recognizing Reog Ponorogo as UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage.

"This recognition not only highlights the importance of Reog art but also confirms its commitment to preserving Indonesia's cultural identity for future generations," said Ambassador Oemar, quoted from a written statement received on Wednesday.

On this occasion, Ambassador Oemar asked the UNESCO Secretariat to broadcast a video message from Fadli Zon, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia.

Minister Fadli Zon emphasized that the Laig Reog Ponorogo as the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding by UNESCO is an important moment for Indonesia in the preservation of traditional cultural arts which has a strong roots in local values and spirit of mutual cooperation.

"The Indonesian government and the local community have made various efforts to preserve Reog Ponorogo, ranging from documenting, promoting, to integrating it into formal, informal, and non-formal education. We also continue to empower the art community as the main guardian of this cultural heritage," said Minister Fadli.

On the same occasion, Minister Fadli Zon also emphasized the importance of the role of the younger generation in preserving traditional cultural arts.

"Reog Ponorogo is not only a show art, but also our identity and pride as a nation. We invite the younger generation to continue to know, love, and preserve this art so that the noble values contained in it remain alive," he said.

Sulaiman Syarif, Indonesian Ambassador to Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, as Deputy Chair of the Indonesian Delegation for the UNESCO WBTb Session Committee, expressed his pride for global recognition of Reog Ponorogo.

"This UNESCO confession can strengthen broader cooperation and cultural exchanges between Indonesia and friendly countries, not only in Latin America but also around the world," said Ambassador Sulaiman.

Reog Ponorogo, a performing art from Ponorogo Regency, East Java, reflects the harmony between dance, music and mythology.

The art depicts courage, solidarity, and dedication that have been the identity of the Ponorogo people for centuries.

Reog is also a symbol of mutual cooperation, which is reflected in his creative processes, ranging from making masks to collaborations between artists, craftsmen, and the local community.

The iconic Reog Ponorogo show, with the embankment carrying Dadak Merak, a tiger head-shaped mask decorated withautical fur, became a symbol of the courage and beauty of Indonesian art.

So far, Reog has often been featured in various traditional events, major celebrations, and traditional rituals that are full of cultural and social values.

With this determination, Reog Ponorogo officially became the 14th Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTb) which was published on the UNESCO WBTb list.

Previously, Wayang, Keris, Batik, Membatik Training, Angklung, Saman Dance, Noken, Bali Traditional Dance Three Genres, Pinisi Boat Making Art, Pencak Silat, Pantun, Gamelan, and Healthy Medicine Drinking Culture, had already received recognition from UNESCO.