Indonesia expects 1,038 intangible heritage designations in 2026
The Culture Ministry received 1,534 proposals from 38 provinces, with 550 recommended for designation by October.
Indonesia expects further assessments in early November to bring its intangible cultural heritage designations for 2026 to 1,038, Culture Minister Fadli Zon said in Jakarta.
By October, experts had recommended 550 proposals for designation, equivalent to 55 per cent of the annual target of 1,000. The Culture Ministry received 1,534 submissions from 38 provinces between 26 January and 6 February 2026.
Zon said designation decisions follow expert assessments of proposals from provincial, district and city governments. The first assessment, running from 30 June to 4 July, produced 260 recommendations. Another 290 followed an assessment held between 31 August and 5 September.
The submissions cover five cultural domains: oral traditions and expressions; performing arts; customs, rites and celebrations; knowledge and practices relating to nature and the universe; and traditional craftsmanship.
Examples include West Sumatra's Marinai oral tradition and chant, Southeast Sulawesi's Buri Wolio traditional script and South Papua's Kweritop string game. Performing arts recommendations include Aceh's Ratoh Taloe dance, Jakarta's Keroncong Betawi traditional music and Maluku's Dansa Katreji dance. Craftsmanship proposals include Trusmi batik from West Java and Bali's Ogoh-Ogoh figures.
Zon projected that the additions would take national designations for 2013–2026 to approximately 3,765. Indonesia recognised 2,727 items between 2013 and 2025, including 17 shared heritage designations. He said heritage status supports international recognition and public awareness of preservation.
