‘Pantun’ has finally got the recognition it deserves.
Yes, ‘Pantun’ has been recognised in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity category by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) through a multinational nomination.
According to a report in Bernama, the same recognition has also been given to 'upacara wangkang'.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri was quoted in the report as saying the the wangkang ceremony was jointly nominated with China and the pantun was jointly nominated with Indonesia.
"This decision was announced on Dec 17 during the 15th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage which is ongoing until Dec 19."
"This prestigious listing has been decided by the Unesco Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which comprises 24 member states to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage chaired by Jamaica," she said in a statement as quoted in the report.
Before this, the country had its Mak Yong recognised in 2005, Dondang Sayang recognised in 2018 and silat in 2019.
Way to go Malaysia!