The Committee
- Takes note that Indonesia has nominated Reog Ponorogo performing art (No. 01969) for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding:
In Indonesia, Reog Ponorogo Performing Art is a centuries-old theatrical dance that is traditionally performed on various occasions, including disaster aversion ceremonies, village cleansing events, weddings, Islamic and national holidays, circumcisions, thanksgiving ceremonies, public festivities, and when welcoming guests. Dancers dress as kings, war commanders, knights and horse-mounted warriors to narrate the story of the Bantarangin Kingdom and its king. Reog is characterized by the Dadak Merak, a large mask resembling a tiger’s head with a peacock perched on top. For the Ponorogo community, it is a source of pride and an embodiment of cultural values. However, performances are dwindling due to an increasing preference for modern music shows, which are considered more practical and less expensive. Communities and the government have made various efforts to safeguard the practice, including by transmitting it through formal, informal and non-formal education. However, the safeguarding process has not progressed as expected, as it is increasingly difficult to find Reog masters. Furthermore, younger generations view the dance as unappealing and prefer to learn contemporary arts. As a result, there are insufficient students for the transmission of the related knowledge and skills, thereby endangering the sustainability of Reog Ponorogo Performing Art and the related crafts.
- Considers that, from the information included in the file, the nomination satisfies the following criteria for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding:
U.1: Reong Ponorogo Performing Art is a dance that is performed on various occasions such as events, weddings, significant Islamic and national holidays, ceremonies and public festivities, among others. The related knowledge and skills of the element are transmitted through formal and non-formal education. The element is integrated in junior and high school curricula. It is also transmitted by parents to their children and among relatives in family settings. Reong fosters unity while cultivating a sense of patriotism, leadership and communication.
U.2: The element is facing threats of extinction. Performances are increasingly rare due to the community’s preference for modern music shows, which are perceived as cheaper and more practical. Craftspeople are now focusing on other crafts seen as more popular than Ponorogo musical instruments. Furthermore, peacock feathers are increasingly difficult to obtain. Despite various government- and community-led efforts to safeguard and promote the element, the regeneration process has not yielded the expected results. Most master practitioners are older community members, as younger members do not find it appealing to practice Reong Ponorogo and prefer contemporary performing arts.
U.4: The nomination process was a community-driven initiative that involved the participation of various stakeholders, including bearers and practitioners, civil society, government entities, cultural group representatives and Indonesians living overseas. The bearers and practitioners participated in the preparation of the nomination file and the verification of the nomination file. They also provided consent letters.
U.5: The element is listed on the Warisan Budaya Takbenda Indonesia Inventory and is maintained by the Directorate of Cultural Protection and the Directorate General of Culture of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology. The file provides sufficient information about the updating of the inventory and community participation in the inventorying process. The information was also embedded in the 2014 periodic report submitted by the State Party.
- Further considers that, according to the information included in the file and the information provided by the submitting State through the dialogue process, the nomination satisfies the following criterion for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding:
U.3: The nomination file outlines a safeguarding plan with clear objectives and activities that address the root causes of the risks to the viability of the element. It also provides a workplan and budget to support the implementation of the safeguarding measures. The State’s commitment to supporting the implementation measures is also evident. Furthermore, the information provided by the State Party through the dialogue process provides adequate information about the participation of the communities and other stakeholders in the planning and implementation processes of the safeguarding measures.
- Decides to inscribe Reog Ponorogo performing art on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding;
- Reminds the submitting State Party to avoid the use of standardized consent letters in future nominations.