Wakatobi Proposes World Heritage Status For Laringangi Dance Form

Jakarta, Sept 1 (Antara) - The district administration of Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi province, has proposed the inclusion of the Laringangi dance form into the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation`s (UNESCO`s) List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. "We have sent a proposal to UNESCO to recognize the dance as a world cultural heritage," Wakatobi District Head Hugua recently noted here. The Laringangi dance form was performed as an offering to the Sultan of Buton Kingdom in the past. "The dance is a combination of cultures from the three kingdoms of Majapahit, Sriwijaya, and Malay," Hugua remarked. Twelve female dancers and a male dancer perform the traditional dance accompanied by three musicians. The dancers with decorated faces sing and dance softly with movements symbolizing defense and attack in a war. "Laringangi dance is steeped in local history that plays an important role in shaping Indonesia today," he affirmed. The Wakatobi administration will introduce and promote the traditional dance on various occasions. Hagua explained that the dance reflected the local wisdom, which highlighted a balance between life rhythm and nature. The Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage was passed by the UNESCO General Conference held in 2003. At that time, the international community recognized the need to raise awareness about cultural manifestations and expressions that, until then, had no legal or programmatic framework to protect them. In 2012, the UNESCO had added Papua`s traditional woven bag, Noken, to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. In 2011, Aceh`s Saman dance, well-known abroad as "Thousand hands" dance, was officially inscribed in UNESCO`s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Due to its uniqueness, Saman instills a sense of national pride among Indonesians. It does not need music instruments, but it produces harmonious sounds and does not require a lot of space. The dancers move very energetically and dynamically and with sheer coordination. Moreover, the traditional dance, which in the past was performed only by male dancers, conveys religious and noble messages.