Malaysia Joins Regional Bid to Nominate Zapin for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 24 – Malaysia has partnered with Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore in a joint multinational nomination to list zapin on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

In a statement today, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) announced that the official nomination dossier will be formally submitted to UNESCO by March 31, 2027, targeting consideration in the 2028/2029 evaluation cycle.

The ministry noted that the joint submission reflects the deeply interconnected history, shared cultural roots, and long-standing ties among communities across maritime Southeast Asia.

“By joining this multinational UNESCO nomination, Malaysia aims to elevate the international visibility of zapin while protecting it against misappropriation, firmly upholding the core MADANI values of inclusivity, respect for cultural diversity and shared prosperity,” MOTAC stated.

MOTAC highlighted that the initiative embodies the concept of the “Zapin Ummah”—a transnational cultural community that transcends political and geographical boundaries.

The collaborative effort honors regional variations of the performing art, including Zapin, Jipin, Jepin, Japin, Dana, Dincak, and Dambus.

The ministry emphasized that the nomination does not seek to claim sole ownership, intellectual property rights, or cultural exclusivity, but rather aims to preserve a living heritage passed down through generations.

Community engagement and the continuous consent of practitioners remain central to the nomination process, with ongoing stakeholder consultations being conducted across participating nations.

To ensure the sustainability of the tradition, future regional plans will encompass grassroots collaborations, youth exchange programs, joint performances, and regional cultural festivals.

In Malaysia, safeguarding measures for zapin have already been integrated into formal educational and university curricula, digital documentation efforts, academic research, and community-led workshops.

–NMT