Peranakan-style kebaya (All photos: Asean Ladies’ Circle)
For many of us living in the Asean region, South America is about as far as one can get from home. But with the recent working visit of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to the 31st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders’ Week in Lima, Peru, as well as Brazil for the Group of 20 (G20) Summit in Rio de Janeiro, many Malaysian newsfeeds were buzzing with imagery and live updates from the continent.
For those involved in fashion, culture and heritage, however, the South American focus will be solely on Paraguay this week as its capital, Asunción, hosts the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage from Dec 2 to 7. This year is of particular interest, as the results of whether the kebaya is inscripted onto Unesco’s representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity will be made known.
Although it sounds like a bureaucratic mouthful, fighting to preserve culture and heritage, in fact, is one of the surest ways to safeguard diversity while helping promote intercultural dialogue, all of which go towards sustaining communities from social, economic and environmental aspects. The kebaya, moreover, is a traditional costume that more than holds its own in terms of style, national identity and relevance around the region. In Malaysia, the graceful garment transcends race and culture and continues to be an important sartorial pillar for the Malay and Peranakan communities, particularly the Baba Nyonya, Chetti and Kristang.
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Out of a collective desire to have our shared culture recognised on a global level, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand banded together to jointly submit a multinational nomination for the kebaya to Unesco as a representative and celebration of the five countries’ rich shared history. Drumming up excitement for the announcement of the decision, the Asean Ladies’ Circle (ALC) hosted a fashion gala headlined “Threading Asean Unity through Kebaya & Sarong” recently.
Organised at Puspanita’s Dewan Tun Dr Siti Hasmah in Kuala Lumpur, the occasion was spearheaded by Thai ambassador to Malaysia, HE Lada Phumas, who holds a second role as ALC’s president for 2024/25. Ten other ALC member countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia and Perwakilan also lent their support in ensuring the afternoon was a success. “The kebaya reflects the unity and richness of the region’s cultural heritage though traditional attire, a symbol of grace, resilience and respect,” said the diplomat in her opening address. “My ambition was to organise a meaningful event while fostering better ties.”
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Adding to her words was Datuk Mohd Yusri Mohd Yusoff, deputy secretary-general of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, who commended the event because it “not only promotes our common cultural heritage but also lives up to ALC’s key objectives, which are to encourage mutual understanding and cooperation as well as advance cultural and social exchanges between member countries. ‘Threading Asean Unity through Kebaya & Sarong’ also brings together all the 10 ALC member countries under a common cultural heritage.
"Today is indeed very timely as we anxiously await the decision for the inscription of the kebaya as an intangible cultural heritage under Unesco … In the meantime, as Unesco contemplates its decision, I hope this will further strengthen our quest for the recognition. It is my sincere hope that today’s ALC fashion dialogue will not only rekindle the love and appreciation for our rich cultural heritage but also create awareness for the elegance and beauty of our traditions”.
This article first appeared on Dec 2, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
