The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy revealed that his party is making full efforts to provide legitimacy for Reog Ponorogo so that it can be designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTB) by UNESCO.
This was conveyed when giving a press statement to the media crew regarding the submission of Reog Ponorogo as a cultural heritage to UNESCO at the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, on Thursday (24/8).
Muhadjir added, various hurdles had been resolved including the remaining requirements requested by UNESCO regarding issues that hindered the assessment regarding the indications for the use of peacock feathers and tiger skins.
He explained that the Ponorogo Regency Government (Pemkab) had clarified that the peacock feathers used were feathers that had fallen off naturally from peacock farms managed by the Ponorogo Regency Government. Meanwhile, Goat skin is an alternative to using Tiger skin which is shaped in such a way by Reog craftsmen.
“I think those two issues are clear. It has been explained by the Ponorogo Regency Government to UNESCO,” said Muhadjir.
Muhadjir also said that the Reog Ponorogo ecosystem had been well formed which was the result of the efforts of the Ponorogo Regency Government and the local community. Starting from education, events, crafts, to the Peacock farm as a supplier of fur for Reog crafts.
In the socialization process, Reog Ponorogo has also been built through an education curriculum system from an early age from elementary to high school levels. Children at school have received teaching about the Reog art to the practice of using it in performances.
“In terms of the ecosystem, it has been neatly formed, that’s the reason we dare to propose it to UNESCO,” said Muhadjir.
To support and encourage the proposal for Reog Ponorogo as WBTB UNESCO, the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture has initiated the Reog Ponorogo Cultural Parade which will be held on Sunday, August 27 2023, at 08.00 WIB. The parade will start from the National Library on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan then go through the route Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat until it ends at the Kemenko Human Development and Culture office.
The Reog Ponorogo Cultural Parade along with other cultural arts was also held in order to celebrate the 78th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia and is a form of concrete action for the National Mental Revolution Movement which is a government program whose coordination is carried out by the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture. The parade will also be enlivened by approximately 1,000 participants with various artistic performances, both of which are already UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (Balinese Dance, Pencak Silat, Saman Dance, and Angklung), as well as presenting the Joint Jamu Drinking Movement where Jamu will soon be designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage, as well as the appearance of women in Kebaya, and Dangdut Music which will also be proposed as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Besides that, exhibitions on archipelago tourism and creative products. Equally important is the symbolic submission of the Reog Ponorogo WBTB submission document from the Ponorogo Regent to the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture which is then submitted to the Director General of Culture, Ministry of Education and Culture. Adv/Man
