S'pore, 4 other nations succeed in bid to get kebaya onto Unesco list

The kebaya, a traditional women's garment popular in South-east Asia, has been officially added to a list of the world's intangible cultural heritage following a joint nomination by Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

- Ng Keng Gene

The outcome was announced at about 9.50pm Singapore time on Dec 4, at the meeting of a 24-member Unesco intergovernmental committee held in Asuncion, Paraguay, where new additions to the Unesco Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity were approved.

Intangible cultural heritage refers to traditions or living expressions that are inherited and passed on between generations, such as performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events.

The inscription of kebaya marks the second time an intangible cultural heritage practice submitted by Singapore has made it to Unesco's list. In 2020, hawker culture was added to the list following its nomination by Singapore.

The kebaya, a long-sleeved upper garment traditionally made from a variety of fabrics and often adorned with intricate embroidery, became fashionable at the turn of the 20th century.

When the National Heritage Board (NHB) announced its intention to be a part of the joint submission in November 2022, it said the "kebaya represents and celebrates the region's rich shared history, promotes cross-cultural understanding, and continues to be present and actively worn by many communities across South-east Asia".

The kebaya, for instance, is worn by flight attendants of national carriers Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Garuda Indonesia.