A cultural initiative showcasing Indonesia’s culinary heritage and performing arts as they move toward global recognition and appreciation

The Government of Indonesia, through the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, has taken a strategic step by proposing three cultural elements of the archipelago, tempe, jaranan, and Mak Yong theatre, as Intangible Cultural Heritage to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The nomination documents were submitted on March 31, 2025, to be processed for inclusion in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to preserving cultural traditions while introducing Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage to the global community.

Through this proposal, the government hopes that international recognition will strengthen cultural preservation efforts and encourage cultural cooperation among countries. The initiative is also expected to increase public awareness of the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage that has been passed down through generations.

One of the cultural elements proposed is tempe, a traditional food made from soybeans fermented with the help of the fungus Rhizopus oligosporus. Tempe has long been an essential part of Indonesia’s culinary culture. In the book Teknologi Pangan Nabati Terfermentasi by Nurhayati and colleagues, it is explained that the history of tempe reflects the long development of food fermentation techniques in Indonesia. This fermentation process emerged as a community response to preserving food while enhancing its nutritional value, particularly in soybeans.

In addition to tempe, the traditional performing art jaranan, also known as kuda lumping, has also been proposed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. In the book Mandala Berbudaya Astha Jathayu by Luthfi Samudro and his team, it is explained that in Kediri Regency there are several types of jaranan performances, including Jaranan Jawa, Jaranan Dor, Jaranan Pegon, and Jaranan Senterewe. Jaranan Jawa is known for incorporating magical elements combined with dance movements, while the other types emphasize creative choreography accompanied by dynamic music.

The history of jaranan dates back to the era of ancient kingdoms in East Java. In the past, this art form was considered sacred and was often performed in ceremonial events related to the royal court and rituals honoring ancestral spirits. Over time, jaranan evolved into a form of public entertainment while still maintaining its traditional elements.

The third cultural element proposed is Mak Yong theatre, a traditional Malay performing art that combines elements of theatre, music, vocals, and dance. This art form has developed in various regions, including the Riau Islands in Indonesia. Generally, Mak Yong performances present stories about human life that contain both entertainment and moral messages.

The nomination of tempe, jaranan, and Mak Yong to UNESCO marks an important step for Indonesia in maintaining the sustainability of its cultural heritage. Through international recognition, these traditions are expected to continue to be preserved while becoming part of Indonesia’s cultural identity that is widely recognized around the world.

photo source: instagram.com/republikindonesia and instagram.com/kemenkebud

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