Brunei Darussalam through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) is participating in the joint nomination of Zapin dance for inscription on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The nomination is a joint effort of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore for the 2028 evaluation cycle.
The announcement of the joint nomination of Zapin dance was announced by Director of Culture and Arts at the MCYS Haji Awang Mohd Abdoh bin Haji Awang Damit during a press conference on Saturday.
According to Haji Awang Mohd Abdoh, Zapin is a dynamic and living cultural heritage deeply rooted in the Malay Muslim communities of the maritime region of Southeast Asia and extends beyond being merely a form of performance.
It represents a living tradition practiced by Muslim communities across the maritime region, with the participating State Parties sharing common origins and interconnected cultural experiences.
Zapin is performed as an integrated combination of music, singing and dance, resulting from the hybridisation of Zafin Hadhrami traditions with local cultural traditions. In Brunei Darussalam, this shared tradition is known as Jipin Brunei, encompassing variations such as Jipin Laila Sembah and Jipin Susun Sireh.
Jipin Brunei is characterised by its refined and graceful choreography, with coordinated footwork and gestures performed by pairs of dancers. The performances are accompanied by musical instruments including the gambus, violin and drums, and are sometimes complemented by a gulintangan ensemble.
Jipin is commonly performed at social gatherings, weddings and national celebrations, and continues to be showcased by national cultural groups such as Senandung Darussalam at regional and international events.
The joint nomination reflects the principles of international cooperation, fostering dialogue and collaborative efforts surrounding a shared cultural heritage.
The initiative represents a collective community that transcends geographical and national boundaries, while highlighting the ongoing dialogue among the various forms of Zapin, including Zapin, Jipin, Jepin, Japin, Dana, Dincak Dambus and Gambusan, as they have developed in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
The initiative builds on long-standing regional cooperation, as demonstrated through various festivals and cultural performances among the participating State Parties, including regional platforms that have featured Brunei Darussalam’s Jipin alongside Zapin traditions from neighbouring countries.
Since the late 1990s, cooperation among the countries through Zapin-related festivals in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore has served as a benchmark for regional collaboration among State Parties that share this common heritage.
Brunei Darussalam welcomes the opportunity to share experiences and encourage the exchange of ideas among communities, arts and dance groups, as well as government departments.
Potential community-level collaborations, such as regional dance competitions, will continue to be discussed and jointly explored with relevant stakeholders.
In Brunei Darussalam, efforts to preserve Jipin are actively carried out through cultural groups supported by the MCYS, community-based training conducted by cultural practitioners, and continued performances at national events, schools and community celebrations.
Through its participation in this multinational nomination, Brunei Darussalam aims to enhance the global visibility and recognition of Jipin/Zapin.
SOURCE/AUTHOR : BORNEO BULLETIN/JAMES KON
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