Ministry of Culture Identifies Steps to Preserve Hiliamaetaniha Traditional Village in South Nias

The Ministry of Culture is identifying preservation steps for the traditional village of Hiliamaetaniha in South Nias Regency, North Sumatra, to protect its traditional houses as part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage.

“Through the North Sumatra Cultural Heritage Preservation Centre, we will examine what can be done together with various parties. The most important thing is that these traditional houses remain preserved and do not suffer damage, especially amid increasingly extreme weather conditions,” said Minister of Culture Fadli Zon in a statement confirmed from Jakarta on Wednesday.

The geographical location of the village, situated in the highlands, presents its own challenges, particularly the potential for landslides and the impact of extreme weather on the sustainability of the traditional buildings.

According to him, cultural resilience that grows from the community is an important asset that must be continuously strengthened through collaboration between the government, the community, and various stakeholders.

“This village possesses extraordinary cultural wealth. Although it is located in a hilly area with various challenges, the customs, culture, and traditions here remain alive because they are preserved by the community. This is part of our cultural strength that we must continue to nurture together,” he said.

He stated that cultural preservation is not only about maintaining historic buildings but also about ensuring that knowledge, values, and cultural practices remain sustainable and become part of community life.

Synergy between the government, the community, and stakeholders is expected to ensure that Indonesia’s cultural heritage remains sustainable, adaptive to various challenges, and beneficial for current and future generations.