The Committee

1. Takes note that Malaysia has nominated Breakfast culture in Malaysia: dining experience in a multi-ethnic society (No. 02113) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

Breakfast culture in Malaysia plays an important role among Malaysia’s multi-ethnic societies. The element can be found throughout the submitting State, which comprises 14 states. It is centred on food and spending time together over a morning meal. The element is a living heritage related to the traditional dietary practices which encompasses staple traditional foods such as Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai and drinks Teh Tarik. The element is practiced in both private and public spaces from the rural to urban areas. The Malays, Chinese, Indians, and other ethnic groups throughout Malaysia are both food producers and diners, and actively involved in the practice of the element. The preparation and consumption of Malaysian breakfast foods, although originally practiced by a particular ethnic group, has eventually become common and savoured by all, regardless of ethnic background. The foods are economical to produce and appreciated by people from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds as an affordable and complete meal to start the day. The culture has been passed down from generation to generation to ensure the sustainability of local traditional culinary practices. Locals from different ethnic groups and genders unite around traditional breakfast delicacies. In addition to being a source of pride and a significant part of Malaysia’s gastronomic history, these morning dishes have also become a distinctive element of culture and identity that connects diverse ethnic groups within Malaysia.

2. Considers that, from the information included in the file, the nomination satisfies the following criteria for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

R.1:   The breakfast culture in Malaysia plays an important role among Malaysia’s multi-ethnic societies which includes Malays, Chinese, Indians and other ethnicities within the submitting State. The practitioners and bearers of the element are family members, local communities, food service, hospitality and trade associations and education institutions. The knowledge and skills of the element are transmitted informally through parents and older family members passing down information to young people in the form of oral tradition, observation and participation. There are formal transmission methods through the educational institutions in Malaysia, and culinary courses which include the dishes associated with the element. The element promotes cultural harmony as it is associated with spaces for locals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds who socialise and make friends while enjoying the Malaysian breakfast. The element strengthens the unity and social relationship that reflect the identity of Malaysia as a multi-ethnic country.

R.2:   The nomination file elaborates the contributions of the element to various aspects of sustainable development. The element fosters social cohesion through mutual respect and expands social boundaries among different communities. The breakfast culture is practiced by all communities regardless of gender, age or ethnicity, therefore promoting equality, including gender equality. Cuisine courses have been incorporated into the curricula of schools and local culinary programmes. The affordable food contributes to food security. The submitted video and letters from communities reinforce the link between the element and the aspects of sustainable development.

R.4:   Between 2019 and 2023, various meetings, workshops, dialogues and briefing sessions on the preparation of the nomination were held. The sessions included representatives from various establishments and backgrounds. The documentation process was supported by prominent individuals in related fields, such as food historians and professional and celebrity chefs. The communities, groups and individuals concerned expressed their support for the nomination through letters of consent. The State facilitated an online social media movement to raise awareness about the nomination and promote community participation.

R.5:   The element was listed on the Inventory List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Customs and Culture in 2022. The inventory is maintained by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Division, the Department of National Heritage, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. The inventory is updated yearly and the role of the community in the inventorying process is described in the file.

3. Further considers that, from 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 Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

R.3:   Various measures are proposed for the safeguarding of the element. These include: (a) promoting non-formal transmission within families; (b) incorporating the element in education curricula; (c) documenting culture and food recipes; (d) coordinating culinary competitions, demonstrations and exhibitions; and (e) conducting research for the development of standards or guidelines. The role of the community and the State in the planning and implementation of the safeguarding measures is elaborated.

4. Decides to inscribe Breakfast culture in Malaysia: dining experience in a multi-ethnic society on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.