Maapam Tradition and Salapan Dance Designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Maapam tradition and Salapan Aia Bangih dance in West Pasaman have been officially designated as Indonesia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTb) from 2025 by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia. The designation certificate was handed over by West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi Ansharullah and received directly by the Assistant for General Administration of the West Pasaman Regional Secretariat, Harlina Syahputri, at the Governor’s Office Hall in Padang on Friday (28/8).

“This designation is the state’s recognition of the historical, social, and cultural value of West Pasaman. Our next task is not only to safeguard the certificate, but to ensure that the heritage remains alive, is practised, loved, and passed on to the next generation,” she said in Simpang Empat on Saturday.

The tradition serves as a means of strengthening social relations within the community. In 2020, the Maapam activity in West Pasaman was recorded in the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI) with 1,500 stoves, demonstrating the strong spirit of residents in preserving the tradition.

The tradition is routinely held every year in certain months, such as ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, and the commemoration of Isra Mi’raj. The Maapam tradition involves cooking apam, a traditional Minangkabau cake made from rice flour, coconut milk, and palm sugar. The apam is cooked traditionally using stoves with natural fuel such as coconut leaves, and iron cauldrons. The process is usually carried out in open spaces to minimise the impact of smoke.

In 2025, a total of 37 cultural works from West Sumatra were designated as Indonesia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. She expressed high appreciation from the West Pasaman Regency Government to the West Sumatra Provincial Government, the Ministry of Culture, cultural practitioners, artists, cultural figures, ninik mamak, and the entire community who have consistently preserved the region’s cultural heritage.

The designation of the two cultural works as Indonesia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage is not only a source of pride for West Pasaman, but also a reminder that culture is a living identity within society. Cultural heritage is not merely a relic of the past. More than that, culture is part of community life that must continue to be safeguarded, practised, and passed on to future generations.

With the designation of Maapam and Salapan Aia Bangih as Indonesia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, West Pasaman has further reinforced the position of local cultural wealth as an important part of the national cultural treasury.