Unesco recognizes ‘angklung’ as intangible cultural heritage

The Jakarta Post, Wed, 01/19/2011

A traditional bamboo music instrument from West Java, the angklung, has received official recognition from Unesco as an intangible cultural heritage piece.

Indonesia should preserve the angklung, said the Indonesian Ambassador for Unesco, Tresna Dermawan Kunaefi, after presenting the recognition certificate to National Education Minister Mohammad Nuh, kompas.com reported.

“The main issue here is that the angklung has many values for character building. Cooperation is needed in playing the angklung, producing beautiful harmony,” he said.

Unesco has also recognized several other items from Indonesia – the technique of making Batik fabric, the keris (a ceremonial dagger) and wayang (Javanese traditional puppets) – as having World Heritage Status.