Bengkulu City Government Receives WBTB Award for Bay Tat Cuisine

Bengkulu City (ANTARA) - The Bengkulu City Government in Bengkulu Province has received an award from the Indonesian Ministry of Culture for designating the distinctive Bengkulu cuisine, Bay Tat, as Indonesia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTB) for 2025. The certificate was presented by Bengkulu Governor Helmi Hasan, accompanied by the Head of the Provincial Education and Culture Office, during the International Batik Carnival. “Bay Tat is now officially recognised at the national level. This represents our commitment to preserving regional identity for future generations,” said Bengkulu Mayor Dedy Wahyudi in Bengkulu on Saturday (18/4) evening. Bay Tat was selected for the 2025 WBTB due to its historical significance and traditional craftsmanship in its preparation, which forms a strong identity for Bengkulu City’s residents. WBTB refers to cultural heritage passed down through generations in non-physical forms, such as oral traditions, performing arts, customs, and traditional craftsmanship skills. Through this designation, he hopes that attention to the preservation of traditional cuisine will increase, from legal protection and cultural aspects to the development of creative economy potential based on local wisdom in Bengkulu City. Meanwhile, Bengkulu Province has contributed six new cultural works recognised nationally, one of which is the Bay Tat cuisine representing Bengkulu City. In 2025, the Ministry of Culture has designated a total of 514 new WBTBs from across Indonesia, bringing the national total to 2,727 cultural works.