MULTINATIONAL NOMINATION FOR THE INSCRIPTION OF KEBAYA ONTO THE UNESCO REPRESENTATIVE LIST OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HUMANITY
Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand will be jointly nominating kebaya onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Kebaya, an upper garment traditionally made from lightweight fabrics and typically adorned with intricate embroidery, is traditionally worn by women from Southeast Asia. This would mark Singapore’s first multinational nomination, and is also the first multinational nomination involving all five countries.
The five countries agreed to work together on this multinational nomination as the kebaya represents and celebrates the region’s rich shared history, promotes cross-cultural understanding and continues to be actively produced and worn by many communities across Southeast Asia. The multinational nomination also presents an opportunity for countries to promote and celebrate this shared cultural heritage found in the region.
The five countries aim to submit the nomination documents to UNESCO in March 2023. The results are expected to be announced in end 2024.
#WeHeartKebaya Giveaway Contest

NHB is holding a giveaway contest to encourage users to post on their Instagram or Facebook accounts using the hashtag, #WeHeartKebaya, and share their stories behind their kebaya and what it means to them. These entries will be part of the public support required for the nomination of the kebaya into UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Contest period: From 20 Feb - 22 Mar 23.59pm
PARTICIPATING IN THE GIVEAWAY
1. To be eligible for the giveaway, the following requirements must be fulfilled:
a. The account is following National Heritage Board's Facebook or Instagram page - depending on the platform
b. Visuals (photo/video/GIF) posted in the giveaway post must feature a kebaya of any type
c. The caption of the giveaway post must contain:
i. The story behind the kebaya featured in the visual and its significance to the user
ii. The hashtag #WeHeartKebaya
iii. A tag to National Heritage Board's official Facebook or Instagram account
PRIZES TO BE WON
Top Prize
- Studio Photoshoot (1 on Facebook, 1 on Instagram)
- $100 Gift Voucher (1 on Facebook, 1 on Instagram)
20 runner-ups
- $50 Gift Vouchers (10 on Facebook, 10 on Instagram)
Find out more about the giveaway here.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Only those residing in Singapore can participate in the giveaway as the prizes are only available in Singapore.
Thank you for participating in the #WeHeartKebaya giveaway! Winners are selected by the National Heritage Board team based on the uniqueness and quality of the story shared.
Users with chosen submissions will be notified within seven (7) days of the contest closing by direct message on Facebook or Instagram regarding the prize collection arrangement.
To celebrate the heritage of the kebaya, participants are encouraged to share interesting stories behind their most valued kebaya. Submissions that are most compelling and thought-provoking will be selected by the National Heritage Board.
Users with chosen submissions will be notified within seven (7) days of the contest's closing date, 22 March 2023.
Each participant is only allowed one submission throughout the entire giveaway period on both Facebook and Instagram. Repeated entries will not be entertained or reviewed by the National Heritage Board team.
Each participant can only win once on both Facebook and Instagram.
The top submissions (from Facebook and Instagram each) will receive the top prize of a studio photoshoot at Oh Dear Studios with their kebaya.
10 runner-ups (from Facebook and Instagram each) will win a $50 voucher from any of the participating kebaya brands - Toko Aljunied, Kebaya By Ratianah, Little Nyonya Batik, and Baju by Oniatta.
FOR WINNING PARTICIPANTS
In order to claim his or her prize, each participant is required to reply to National Heritage Board's direct message with the following information for verification purposes within seven (7) days from the time of the notification:
a. Full name
b. Contact number
Any further instructions can be found in the notification via direct message to the winning participant.
Upon winning the prize, it is up to the winner's discretion to decide and contact the studio themselves.
Please contact the National Heritage Board via Facebook or Instagram direct message.
Please contact the National Heritage Board via Facebook or Instagram direct message.
The prize is non-refundable and not exchangeable for cash, credit or any other item. Please refer to the Terms and Conditions of the #WeHeartKebaya Giveaway Contest for further details
Any participants who does not claim their prize within the stipulated seven (7) days from the time of the notification will forfeit his or her rights to the prize. The National Heritage Board will then proceed to select another eligible winner.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT KEBAYA
Find out more about kebaya in NHB’s national inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

More details on the multinational nomination are available in the media release.