Batik Indonesia Recognized by UNESCO

Batik Indonesia
Recognized by UNESCO

Jakarta - Indonesian Batik is officially recognized by UNESCO to put in as a Representative List of Cultural Heritage objects Tak-Man (Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity) in the 4th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee (Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Committee) regarding Cultural Heritage non-object in Abu Dhabi.

In a press release from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (ministry) received by AFP in Jakarta, Friday, UNESCO recognizes Indonesian batik along with 111 nominations from 35 countries of cultural currency, and are recognized and included in the Representative List as many as 76 eyes of culture.

Earlier in 2003 and 2005, UNESCO has recognized the puppet and Keris as Masterpieces of the Oral and intangible Heritage Cultural Human (Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity), which in 2008 incorporated into the Representative List.

The ministry claimed the entry of Indonesian Batik in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is an international recognition of Indonesia's cultural one eye, which is expected to motivate and raise the dignity of batik craftsmen and support efforts to increase people's welfare.

The ministry stated effort to make Batik Indonesia UNESCO recognized it involves all relevant stakeholders with batik, both governments, as well as craftsmen, experts, business associations and foundations / institutions of batik as well as the wider community in the preparation of nomination documents.

RI Representatives Team member jury (Subsidiary Body), namely in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Estonia, Mexico, Kenya and South Korea and the UNESCO-Paris, plays an important role in introducing batik more widely to members of the Subsidiary Body, so that they more carefully study the document nominated Indonesian Batik.

UNESCO noted Batik Indonesia and one other proposal from Spain is the best nomination document and can be used as examples in the nomination process is not culture-eye object in the future.

The ministry declared Indonesian Government's efforts is a commitment as a state party UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of intangible cultural heritage, which have been in effect since 2003 and ratified by 114 countries (Indonesia ratified in 2007).

Convention referred to emphasize the protection of intangible cultural heritage, among others, speak and express tradition, rituals and festivals, crafts, music, dance, performances of traditional arts, and culinary. The legacy is still alive and handed down from generation to generation, giving a sense of community and group identity and continuity, and regarded as an effort to respect cultural diversity and human creativity.

UNESCO recognizes that Batik Indonesia has the technical and cultural symbol that identifies the Indonesian people from birth to death, baby patterned batik cloth worn with a symbol that brings good luck, and who died covered with batik cloth.

Clothing with patterns of daily routine use in business and academic activities, while various other shades used in the ceremony of marriage, pregnancy, also in the puppet, nonsandang needs and various artistic performances. Batik cloth and even play a major role in certain rituals.

Various shades of Batik Indonesia indicate a variety of influences from outside ranging from Arabic calligraphy, a phoenix from the Chinese, the Japanese cherry flower until the peacock from India or Persia.

Batik tradition handed down from generation to generation, batik is associated with cultural identity and the Indonesian people through various symbolic meanings of colors and patterns to express creativity and spirituality of the people of Indonesia.

Batik Indonesia UNESCO enter into a Representative List for having met the criteria, among others, rich with symbols and philosophy of life of the people of Indonesia; to contribute to the preservation of intangible cultural heritage in the present and future.

Furthermore, all components of society together with government take steps on an ongoing basis for protection, including increased awareness and capacity building including training and education activities.

In preparing the nomination, the parties have been doing various activities, including conducting research in the field, research, seminars, etc. to discuss the document content and enrich the information freely and openly.

The Government has included Batik Indonesia into the Inventory List Cultural Currency of Indonesia.