Legitimate! Kebaya Officially Imposed To Become UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage

Kebaya illustration (

JAKARTA - The Kebaya was officially designated as part of the UNESCO Humanitarian Cultural Heritage Representative List. This decision was announced in the 19th Session of the Inter-Government Committee for Takbent Cultural Heritage which was held in Asunci totaling, Paraguay, on December 4, 2024 at 20.45 WIB.

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said that the application for kebaya was carried out jointly by Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. "This joint nomination reflects the spirit of cooperation and unity of Southeast Asian countries in preserving shared cultural heritage," said Fadli Zon in his virtual message.

Fadli emphasized that kebaya is not just traditional clothing, but a symbol of the identity and harmony of Southeast Asian culture. "Kebaya is a representation of cultural values that exceed the limits of ethnicity, religion, and state. This recognition hopefully raises global awareness of the importance of preserving the legacy of non-obstacle culture," he said.

The Minister of Culture also appreciated the development of kebaya which is now present in contemporary designs, often featured in international events such as beauty pageants and awards. "Kebaya is a living symbol. We must be proud to use it as an effort to preserve culture," he added.

In this nomination, the proposing countries emphasize the role of the kebaya in supporting sustainable development, especially in improving people's welfare, developing an inclusive economy, and reducing poverty.

Fadli Zon hopes that the determination of this kebaya will be a momentum to strengthen cooperation between countries in the region. "This UNESCO recognition shows the importance of interculture dialogue and respect for cultural diversity. I hope that the kebaya can continue to be respected and passed on to future generations as a symbol of identity and cultural harmony," concluded Fadli Zon.

Determination of the kebaya as UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage makes it the 15th element proposed by Indonesia and recognized internationally.