Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand have jointly submitted a nomination for the kebaya to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for the year 2023.
The multi-national nomination was submitted because the garment is steeped in Southeast Asian cultural heritage. The kebaya also represents the identity of women in the region, specifically from the Malay, Peranakan, Chinese, Baba Nyonya, Chetti, Siamese, Kristang, and other communities.
"Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand have jointly submitted the multi-national nomination for the kebaya to UNESCO as it represents and celebrates our rich and shared history, promotes cross-cultural understanding, and continues to be present across Southeast Asia," Malaysia's Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry said in a statement on April 4, 2023.
"With the involvement of government officials, experts, and kebaya community representatives from all participating countries, the kebaya nomination dossier was updated and streamlined as per the new format by UNESCO. A final online workshop was led by Singapore to finalize the nomination dossier in March 2023," the ministry added.
The five nations see the kebaya as an intangible cultural heritage (ICH) element since its creation process requires traditional craftsmanship and embroidery along with sewing techniques.
"The kebaya is also associated with other forms of cultural heritage, such as festive occasions and weddings. There is an active community of makers and wearers of kebaya who share and transmit the knowledge and socio-cultural value of the kebaya from one generation to another. The kebaya presents us an opportunity to promote and celebrate this shared cultural heritage found in the Southeast Asian region," the statement from the ministry read.
All five nations will find out if their nomination is successful at the 19th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2024.
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Cover image sourced from Nanie Amier House of Kebaya / Facebook and bymissfifyhq/Instagram.
