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JOINT NOMINATION OF ZAPIN ONTO THE UNESCO REPRESENTATIVE LIST OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HUMANITY BY BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, INDONESIA, MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE

Zapin is a performing art traditionally performed at significant or ceremonial occasions such as weddings.
Image courtesy of National Heritage Board.

Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore are working together on a joint nomination to inscribe ‘zapin’ onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity in March 2027.

Zapin is a vibrant traditional performing art and cultural practice shared across the region. As one of the most popular forms of Malay dance, alongside major genres such as inang, joget, masri and asli, zapin is actively transmitted by students, dancers, and musicians. The dance has also lent itself to transformation and innovation over the years. For example, locally choreographed variants Zapin Telok Blangah and Zapin Sungei Kallang show how the art form has become a vehicle for the expression of local heritage and identity.

Zapin Is a Form of Traditional Malay Dance That Is Often Accompanied by a Musical Ensemble. Image Courtesy of National Heritage Board.

Zapin performances are often accompanied by a musical ensemble.
Image courtesy of National Heritage Board.

Zapin is also widely practiced across the region, though it may vary in style. This multinational effort reflects a shared commitment with Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia to honour and preserve our shared heritage. Recognising the national significance of this art form, MCCY, NAC and NHB have consistently recognised outstanding practitioners through such awards as the Cultural Medallion and the Stewards of Intangible Cultural Heritage Award.

Join us in our efforts to prepare the joint nomination of zapin to the UNESCO Representative List by supporting the community and its upcoming programmes below.

Date and Time	Event	Description and Registration Link
9 October 2026 (8pm to 9pm) 10 October 2026 (3pm to 4pm) 10 October 2026 (8pm to 9pm)	Muzikal Tari: M3kar M3wangi	Blending new music arrangements, dance and theatre, M3kar M3wangi is a story about growing beyond what is familiar, the pull between tradition and change, and the bittersweet journey of finding where we belong. The programme will feature songs and flowers of the Nusantara, which also include some of these zapin choreography works: Zapin Bunga Anggerik by Haziq Noorazwa (Atrika Dance Company Singapore) Zapin Bunga Melur by Elfi Ismail (T3at3r Muzikal Collective Ltd) Zapin Bunga Ros by Ridwan Bujang Butami (Indonesia) Zapin Bunga Hutan by TARI Aliff Johor (Malaysia) Registration link: https://sistic.com.sg/events/muzikal1026
13 to 15 November 2026	Muara Festival 2026: Denyutan Sepunya (The Shared Pulse)	Muara Festival is the flagship annual event of Era Dance Theatre, celebrating the richness and evolution of Malay dance. Rooted in tradition yet open to contemporary expression, the festival serves as a vital platform for cultural exchange, artistic exploration, and intergenerational dialogue. The festival will celebrate the connections that bind us across borders, involving dance groups from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Expect a dynamic line-up of dance showcases, masterclasses and workshops, accompanied by live music! The programme will feature an all-zapin programme on 14 November through: Sayembara Tari (a regional school competition centring on zapin) Two evening showcases of zapin Muara Festival 2026 is a free programme. Webpage to be updated.

The list above is non-exhaustive and will be updated on a rolling basis. We welcome the community to submit your programmes at https://go.gov.sg/zprogpublicity.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ZAPIN

Find out more about zapin in NHB’s national inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

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