Number of Intangible Cultural Heritages in Indonesian Provinces as of June 2025

The Indonesian Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) recorded 1,939 intangible cultural heritages (ICH) in Indonesia as of June 26, 2025.

For information, ICH encompasses various practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills; as well as instruments, objects, artifacts, and related cultural spaces. These are recognized by communities, groups, and in certain cases, individuals, as part of their cultural heritage.

According to Kemendikdasmen data, ICH in Indonesia is spread across 34 provinces. The 10 provinces with the highest number of ICH as of June 26, 2025, are:

1. Yogyakarta Special Region: 176 ICH

2. Central Java: 130 ICH

3. West Java: 120 ICH

4. Bali: 111 ICH

5. East Java: 99 ICH

6. West Sumatra: 95 ICH

7. Riau Islands: 86 ICH

8. Jakarta: 77 ICH

9. West Kalimantan: 69 ICH

10. Aceh: 68 ICH

Data for South Papua, Highland Papua, Central Papua, and West Papua provinces were unavailable in the Kemendikdasmen report.

The definition of ICH refers to the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, ratified through Indonesian Presidential Regulation Number 78 of 2007.

This convention explains that ICH is transmitted from generation to generation, constantly recreated by communities and groups in response to their environment, their interaction with nature, and their history; and provides them with a sense of identity and continuity, fostering respect for cultural diversity and human creativity.

ICH can be manifested in the fields of oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle for ICH; performing arts; social practices, rituals, and festive events; knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; and traditional craftsmanship.