Malaysia joins regional bid to nominate zapin for UNESCO heritage list

PUTRAJAYA, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Malaysia will submit a joint nomination with Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore to list zapin on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) said on 24 September.

The joint nomination reflects the shared cultural heritage and longstanding ties among communities across maritime Southeast Asia, MOTAC said. Zapin, a Malay dance‑drama that blends poetry, music and movement, remains a dynamic living heritage that embodies identity, continuity and cultural belonging among Malay and Muslim communities in the region.

By joining the multinational UNESCO nomination, Malaysia aims to elevate the international visibility of zapin while protecting it against misappropriation, the ministry said. It said the initiative upholds the core MADANI values of inclusivity, respect for cultural diversity and shared prosperity, and stands as a testament to international cooperation that fosters dialogue and collaborative action across borders.

The ministry described the initiative as a celebration of the “Zapin Ummah”, a transnational cultural community that transcends geographical and political boundaries. It highlighted the region’s intertwined history and the enduring vitality of diverse expressions, including zapin, jipin, jepin, japin, dana, dincak and dambus.

MOTAC said the participating nations will strengthen ties by sharing cultural knowledge and expertise among practitioners, researchers and communities. Future plans include grassroots collaborations such as joint performances, workshops, youth exchanges and regional festivals. These initiatives aim to safeguard the living tradition of zapin, ensuring its vitality for future generations while deepening regional friendship and cultural solidarity.

Communities, groups and practitioners who safeguard, practise and transmit zapin are central to the nomination process, the ministry said. Broad stakeholder consultations are underway, actively gathering the continuous consent and support of local cultural practitioners. The nomination is not about asserting ownership, intellectual property rights or cultural exclusivity but safeguarding a shared living heritage that has flourished across generations.

“Our goal is to ensure the knowledge, skills and values embodied in zapin continue to be passed down from master practitioners to the youth,” the statement added.

Related: Putrajaya