Jambi Governor Al Haris said the designation reflected state recognition of cultural practitioners who have preserved traditions passed down for generations, calling it an important milestone in the province’s recorded cultural history.
“This is a form of government appreciation for those who have devoted themselves to their fields,” Al Haris told reporters in Jambi City on Wednesday.
The nine traditions include Kuluk Kerinci from Kerinci District and the Bagetek ritual from Bungo District, both rooted in customary ceremonies and local belief systems.
Also recognized were Gandai performing arts, the Teluk Kembang dance, and the Tongketung Betung Berdarah tradition, all originating from Tebo District and representing diverse expressions of movement, music and ritual.
From Muaro Jambi District, the ministry designated the Lukah Gito tradition of Dusun Baru and the Tonel Tebat Patah performing arts, which are closely linked to community celebrations and oral storytelling.
Jambi City contributed the Dana Sarah Jambi performing arts from Kota Seberang, while Sarolangun district was recognized for the language of the Orang Rimba, an Indigenous forest-dwelling community.
Related news: Public education vital part of Muarajambi cultural site revitalization
Al Haris praised regional administrations and cultural practitioners for their role in securing the designation, saying their work had helped protect Jambi’s heritage from erosion amid modernization.
At the national level, Indonesia has now registered around 700 elements as Intangible Cultural Heritage, according to the Culture Ministry, which has set a target of designating 2,000 cultural elements in the coming years.
The ministry says the program aims to strengthen cultural resilience, promote education, and support tourism by formally documenting local traditions across the country’s more than 17,000 islands.
Alongside the national designation, the Jambi provincial government also presented cultural awards to two veteran artists for lifetime contributions to preserving traditional arts.
They included Aisyah, a master of Kelintang Perunggu music from East Tanjung Jabung district, and Abu Bakar, a Krinok music maestro from Rantau Pandan in Bungo District.
Al Haris said such figures served as role models for younger generations, encouraging them to value and safeguard ancestral traditions.
He added that the province would continue identifying cultural potential, particularly in coastal communities, to be proposed for recognition next year.
Related news: Jambi prepares study to get Merangin global geopark status
Translator: Agus Suprayitno, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2026
