Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore Propose Zapin Dance for UNESCO Cultural Heritage

JAKARTA, 1 OCTOBER 2026 —

Jakarta – Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Singapore on Thursday submitted a joint nomination to UNESCO to inscribe the Zapin dance on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for 2027.

The nomination, announced in a press release from Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture, is intended to preserve Tari Zapin as a dynamic cultural expression while reinforcing ties among the neighbouring societies that share the art form. Officials said the move also creates a platform for cultural cooperation that could extend beyond heritage preservation to broader regional engagement.

According to the ministry, the Zapin proposal marks the fourth coordinated attempt by the four countries to protect a shared intangible heritage. It is Indonesia’s third multinational cultural submission, following earlier joint bids for the pantun poetic form and the kebaya garment. The current effort seeks to place the dance on UNESCO’s 2027 agenda, positioning it alongside other Southeast Asian cultural practices that have been recognised internationally.

“This is a culture that we certainly share, because in earlier times we were not bound by territorial boundaries. There were intersections, meetings, migrations, and cultural acculturation that influenced one another,” said Fadli Zon, Indonesia’s Minister of Culture, in the release dated 1 October 2026. His comment underscored the historical fluidity of cultural exchange across the region, framing the Zapin dance as a product of centuries‑long interaction rather than a modern national invention.

Zon added that the dance was selected for nomination because “it is considered to have strong roots in the lives of communities in Southeast Asia. The values contained in each movement grow with diverse characteristics in each country.” He argued that the varied forms of Zapin “have the potential to become more recognized on the global stage” and that “this diversity is the strength of this multinational nomination.

We can nurture our individual identities while recognizing our interconnected cultural histories as a shared heritage that lives across national borders.”

Endah Tjahjani Dwirini Retnoastuti, Director General of Diplomacy, Promotion and Cultural Cooperation, said the initiative aims to “strengthen cultural wisdom at the regional level and foster brotherhood among nations in Southeast Asia.” She described the nomination as reflecting “the fraternity of the Malay nations (Southeast Asia Blings/SEAblings)” and reiterated that “this is a symbol of the unity of the nations of Southeast Asia.”

The proposal remains in the preparation stage, officials said, and will require coordinated action by community groups, local authorities and relevant ministries. Endah stressed that the process must ensure “the involvement and consent of the community freely and based on adequate or unbiased information, preceded by information, and without coercion.” She indicated that such inclusive engagement is essential for the nomination to proceed effectively.

Hendi, chairman of the Betawi Cultural Institute, provided historical context, noting that the Zapin dance “has lived and developed since the 14th century in various countries in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Singapore.” He explained that the tradition encompasses “dance, movement, music, songs, as well as knowledge and practices passed down from generation to generation.” According to Hendi, the term derives from the word “zafana,” meaning foot stomp, and the choreography is characterised by dominant footwork, a strong character and an absence of erotic elements.

“So Zapin is not just a physical movement, but a deeply rooted narrative of national civilization,” he said.

Farzamie Sarkawi, Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of Malaysia to Indonesia, welcomed the joint bid, stating that Malaysia “is proud to be part of the multinational nomination of the Zapin dance alongside Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore.” He said the proposal “reflects the historical and cultural relationships that have been established across geographical boundaries” and urged that “practitioners and guardians of tradition remain a central part of this process” so that their knowledge “can continue to be passed down.” “For us, this is not just a cultural nomination, but also a reflection of the historical and cultural ties that have bound us together,” he added.

Terrence Teo, Deputy Head of Mission at the Singapore Embassy in Indonesia, praised Indonesia’s leadership in the joint nomination.

He said the Zapin dance “reflects the artistic heritage that continues to be practiced and passed down in the proposing countries.” Teo noted that for Singapore the nomination “is a continuation of the partnership that has been established among the four countries” and that cooperation “to recognize, promote, and preserve various elements of this shared heritage, as well as to deepen collaboration in the protection of Zapin dance, must continue to be strengthened after the nomination process takes place.” He concluded, “Zapin is a living tradition that continues to be practiced and passed down from generation to generation in our countries.”

The ministries of the four nations indicated that the multinational nomination process is expected to proceed smoothly and to “strengthen recognition of the diversity of cultural expressions that thrive in the Southeast Asian region.” The coordinated effort signals a concerted push to place a shared Malay‑archipelago art form on the global heritage map while reinforcing cultural solidarity among Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore.

Related: UNESCO · Jakarta