Pacitan Proposes Rontek Art as Intangible Cultural Heritage

Pacitan, East Java (ANTARA) - The Pacitan Regency Government in East Java has submitted Rontek art to the Ministry of Culture for recognition as Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTB), as an effort to strengthen recognition of the region’s cultural identity.

Adetya Wicaksana Putra, Acting Head of the Culture Division at the Pacitan Regency Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports Office (Disparbudpora), said in Pacitan on Monday that the proposal for Rontek as WBTB was submitted at the end of 2025 and is currently undergoing curation by the central government.

“We submitted Rontek as a WBTB proposal for 2026, and it is now still in the curation process. We hope it will soon be designated as Pacitan’s official cultural identity,” said Adetya.

According to him, the submission was made with various considerations because Rontek holds strong historical and cultural value for the people of Pacitan.

Rontek is a traditional musical art that originally developed from the community’s custom of waking residents for the pre-dawn meal (sahur) during the month of Ramadan.

The tradition then evolved into an art performance combining bamboo slit-drum percussion, bedug drums, and various percussion instruments with distinctive, dynamic rhythms.

In its development, Rontek has not only incorporated musical elements, but also combined choreography, theatrical elements, costumes, and the creativity of the art groups that perform it.

Adetya said recognition as WBTB is expected to strengthen preservation efforts while opening up broader space for the development of Rontek art so that it remains relevant amid the changing times.

The art form has been consistently maintained through various community activities, from the village to regency level.

One of these is the Pacitan Rontek Festival, which is held regularly as a space for expression and creativity for artists.

The Pacitan Rontek Festival 2026 will be held on 17–19 July with a different concept compared to previous years.

One of the innovations being introduced is a walking stage, which will form part of the judging criteria.

This concept is expected to restore Rontek’s character as a walking performance art involving direct interaction with communities along the parade route.