In March 2023, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand submitted the nomination documents to inscribe “Kebaya: Knowledge, Skills, Traditions and Practices” on the UNESCO Representative List.
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Kebaya is a form of shared history in the region, and an ICH element that transcends ethnicity and religion, facilitates dialogues and unites Southeast Asian communities.
- Kebaya continues to be actively produced and worn by many communities today.
- The nomination is an opportunity to promote cross-cultural understanding amongst different communities in the region. Kebaya represents the unique blend of cultures across Southeast Asia.
The documents were first evaluated by a panel of experts appointed by UNESCO and then assessed by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee which comprises representatives from different countries. The evaluation process took place over one year and nine months, and the results were announced on 4 December 2024. The following contains a summary of the nomination documents.
Multinational Nomination of Kebaya