KBRN, Jakarta: The Indonesian government has registered 514 local Indonesian cultures as the country's Intangible Cultural Heritage this year. This marks the largest single-year addition since the first registration in 2013.

Their official designation as Indonesia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage was announced at an appreciation event in Jakarta, Monday (15/12/2025), by giving certificates to representatives of 31 provinces. Indonesia’s Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, said that with this registration, the total number of Indonesia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage has reached 2,727.

"This brings the total number to 2,727 Indonesian intangible cultural heritage items. However, the true potential is much larger than that, as many have yet to be registered," he said in a remark.

Representatives of 31 provinces across Indonesia took a picture with the country's Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon (center front), at the Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritage Appreciation event in Jakarta on Monday (15/12/2025). (Photo: YouTube/Indonesian Ministry of Culture)

Fadli explained that recognition as Indonesia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage is required for a culture to be nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage. However, UNESCO only allows each country to submit a cultural heritage nomination once every two years, while the potential number of Indonesia’s intangible cultural heritage, according to him, could reach around 30,000.

“Therefore, we also carry out what is known as a joint nomination, jointly registering with our neighboring countries that share similarities. An example is recent (nomination) regarding the kebaya with our neighboring countries in Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore,” he said.

Indonesian Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon (second from right), and the ministry officials before the reporters at the Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritage Appreciation event in Jakarta on Monday (15/12/2025). (Photo: RRI VOI/Rama Shidqi Pratama)

Among the 514 newly registered cultures, Central Java became the province with the highest number of intangible cultural heritage registrations this year, with 57 cultures. The province's governor, Ahmad Luthfi, directly received the certificate of appreciation.

"Moving forward, the cultural potentials of Central Java should not only be preserved, but also developed into a creative economy. In this way, it will indirectly elevate the cultural identity of Central Java Province on the one hand, while boosting the creative economy on the other," he said.

See also:

​Indonesia Promotes Cultural Heritage at WMSJ

​Cultural Heritage Restoration Begins After Disaster in Medan

​UNESCO Recognizes Three Indonesian Cultures

Some of the newly designated Intangible Cultural Heritage of Indonesia include Lir-Ilir, a traditional song from Central Java. It was composed by Sunan Kalijaga, one of the nine Islamic wali (saints), during his time spreading Islamic teachings in Java.

Another designated culture is Bika Ambon, a traditional cake from Medan, North Sumatra. It is known for its yellow color and spongy texture formed by yeast.

As of today, Indonesia has 16 intangible cultural heritages recognized by UNESCO. This includes popular traditional culture such as wayang puppetry, batik fabric, pencak silat martial arts, Pinisi vessels, and noken bags.