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December 5, 2024 | 08:08 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Kebaya, a traditional women's attire cherished across Southeast Asia, has been officially inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This achievement follows a joint nomination by five Southeast Asian nations: Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
This collaborative effort marks a historic precedent, representing the largest joint nomination from Southeast Asia to date in terms of participating countries.
The recognition was announced on Wednesday during a meeting of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee, comprising 24 member states, held in Asunción, Paraguay. This committee is responsible for approving new additions to the prestigious Representative List.
Minister of Culture, Community, and Youth Edwin Tong, who also serves as the chair of Singapore's National Commission for UNESCO, expressed his elation at this momentous achievement, calling the inscription "a milestone to be celebrated".
“For the first time, these five nations have joined forces to recognize the kebaya as a symbol of our shared history and cultural identity. Besides recognizing its cultural significance, its inscription on the UNESCO list is also a chance to promote cross-cultural understanding and unity in Singapore and across the region,” Minister Tong emphasized, as reported by Channel News Asia.
Kebaya, a long-sleeved upper garment traditionally crafted from a diverse array of fabrics and often embellished with intricate embroidery, rose to prominence at the turn of the 20th century.
When the Singapore National Heritage Board (NHB) announced its intention to participate in this joint submission in November 2022, it stated that “kebaya celebrates our shared cultural identity, promotes cross-cultural understanding, and continues to be present and actively produced and worn by many communities across Southeast Asia.”
For instance, flight attendants of national airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia proudly incorporate the kebaya into their professional attire.
Intangible cultural heritage refers to living traditions and expressions preserved and transmitted from generation to generation, including performing arts, social practices, rituals, and festive events.
The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, established by UNESCO in 2008, serves as a global compendium of these cherished cultural elements from nations worldwide.
This prestigious list aims to elevate awareness of the importance of these practices and expressions, foster respectful dialogue that respects cultural diversity, and accord due recognition to the invaluable contributions of communities worldwide.
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