Lion dance to be nominated in the Unesco List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2025.
Malaysia’s beloved breakfast trio of nasi lemak, teh tarik and roti canai took centre stage in a celebration of the nation’s intangible heritage.
Along with the kebaya, part of the country’s traditional attire, the breakfast must-haves were showcased during the two-day “Road to Unesco: Celebrating our Heritage” programme at Parc in Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Display of the 'flying roti canai' technique wowing crowds gathered at Parc for the celebration of culture and heritage. - Photos: FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
Organised by Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and National Heritage Department (JWN), the event follows the 2023 nomination of the breakfast staples and centuries-old women’s embroidered garment for inclusion in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Both of these nominations are expected to be considered during the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which will be held in Asuncion, Paraguay, in December.
Children, some dressed in traditional outfits, enjoying the day at the event that includes a variety of Malaysian food stalls.
The celebration event also highlighted the Kelantanese shadow puppet art form of wayang kulit, which was nominated for inclusion for the year 2024.
The lion dance and chingay, an art form popular in Penang and Johor, will be nominated for the 2025 list.
Guests queueing patiently for a taste of nasi lemak, roti canai and teh tarik.
Also on display during the event were other forms of local intangible cultural heritage that had already received Unesco recognition.
These included the Kelantanese Malay dance-drama tradition of Mak Yong that was inscribed into the list in 2005 as well as the Melaka-origin performing arts Dondang Sayang (2018).
JWN director-general Mohamad Muda Bahadin (centre) at the launch of ‘Road to Unesco: Celebrating our Heritage’ in Subang Jaya.
Other such recognised heritage forms are the Malay martial arts of silat (2019), wangkang ceremony of Melaka’s Fujian Chinese descendants, pantun or Malay quatrains (2020), songket textile (2021) and Kedahan traditional theatre Mek Mulung (2023).
Kebaya-clad participants performing dances to highlight the traditional attire nominated for Unesco heritage listing.
The event drew some 4,500 people including visitors clad in colourful traditional clothes.
