Indonesia's Jamu Inscribed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - UNESCO declared the Indonesian traditional herbal medicine, Jamu, as an Intangible Cultural Heritage during the 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage this week in Kasane, Botswana. 

With this recognition, Jamu Wellness Culture has become the thirteenth Indonesian ICH inscribed to the UNESCO ICH list. The other twelve ICH include Wayang (2008), Keris (2008), Batik (2009), Batik Education and Training (2009), Angklung (2010), Saman Dance (2011), Noken (2012), Three Genres of Traditional Dance in Bali (2015), Art of Pinisi Shipbuilding (2017), Pencak Silat Tradition (2019), Pantun (2020), and Gamelan (2021).

The Jamu Wellness Culture is a unique combination of traditional skills and cultural values linked with traditional herbal and spice remedies and traditional therapeutic practices that promote health by bolstering immunity. The use of Jamu has been prevalent in Indonesia since the 8th century AD, as indicated by the reliefs at Borobudur Temple and ancient manuscripts such as Kakawin Ramayana and Serat Centini.

UNESCO recognized the importance of herbal culture as a way of cultural expression and connecting humanity to the universe. Furthermore, Jamu Wellness Culture is also recognized as supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 3: Health and Wellbeing, Goal 5: Gender Equality, Goal 12: Responsible Production and Consumption, and Goal 16: Life on Land.

Indonesian Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Makarim expressed delight in the designation of Jamu Wellness Culture as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in remarks made via a video message.

He emphasized that the herbal medicine culture has been learned, developed, and passed down from generation to generation since ancient times, making it a way of life in the archipelago. 

Indonesia would continue to conserve Jamu through formal and non-formal education and training, as well as research, development, and innovation, Minister Nadiem Makarim concluded.

SUCI SEKARWATI

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