Government Opens Collaboration to Nominate Dangdut as UNESCO Heritage

Culture Minister Fadli Zon said that dangdut has already been listed as Indonesia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, fulfilling a key requirement for the UNESCO nomination.

“Of course, this must be done together with the community, in this case PAMDI (dangdut artist association) and other organizations as well as musicians in this field,” the minister said in a statement received here on Tuesday.

During a meeting with the Indonesian Dangdut Music Artists Association (PAMDI), the minister explained that the nomination requires careful preparation, including drafting an academic manuscript and dossier, which must be prepared together with the dangdut music community.

PAMDI Chairman Rhoma Irama expressed full support for the plan to nominate dangdut to UNESCO and affirmed its position as authentic Indonesian music.

“Until now, some still claim that dangdut comes from India and is not our culture. As a historical figure in the dangdut music revolution, I can testify that dangdut originates from the development of Malay orchestras,” Irama said.

He explained that dangdut is the result of Malay music development influenced by various cultures, forming a distinctive Indonesian character. He also stated his readiness to assist in preparing the UNESCO nomination documents.

The dangdut music community will soon begin drafting the academic manuscript and dossier, as well as preparing diplomatic steps in support of the nomination.

Through collaboration between the government and the dangdut community, the Ministry of Culture hopes that dangdut will gain greater recognition as a symbol of Indonesia’s cultural identity globally.

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Translator: Sinta, Kenzu