Indonesian Government Designates Balinese Arak as Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) has designated Arak Bali a traditional fermented drink as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTb) of Indonesia.

The stipulation is in the Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia Number 414/P/2022 concerning the Determination of the Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritage of 2022, which was signed at the stipulation session in Yogyakarta on September 27 to October 1, 2022.

Wayan Koster, the Governor of Bali, asked the community, especially craftsmen, to maintain the quality and increase the productivity of Balinese Arak after being designated as WBTb.

"With the establishment of WBTb, the traditional distillation process for making Balinese Arak must be maintained, it cannot be changed freely, its authenticity must be maintained," said Koster in a press release for the Bali Provincial Government Public Relations in Denpasar, Thursday (4/11/2022).

Then, Wayan Koster hopes that after being designated an Intangible Cultural Heritage, people will no longer make sugar wine by the fermentation process, because it will destroy the Balinese Arak tradition.

The determination of Arak Bali as WBTb is also inseparable from a number of efforts by the Bali Provincial Government to protect these beverage producers in Bali Governor Regulation Number 1 of 2020 concerning Governance of Balinese Fermented and/or Distilled Drinks.

“Finally, Balinese wine has legal protection as well as a distribution permit. Arak farmers welcome and a variety of creativity grows, ranging from elegant and quality packaging to innovations in various aromas and flavors,” said Koster.

The efforts of the Bali Provincial Government to protect, care for, and promote ancestral heritage, in this case the field of traditional craft skills in making arak drinks, do not stop at regulations.

The Governor of Bali added that his party continued to promote, develop, develop, and supervise, until finally Arak Bali entered the seventh category of spirit drinks in the world.

Drinks that fall into the world spirit category are group C drinks, with an alcohol content of 25-45 percent made by the distillation process.

The seven drinks are Whiskey from Ireland, Rum from West India, Gin from the Netherlands, Vodka from Russia, Tequila from Mexico, Brandy from the Netherlands, and Arak Bali.

Various efforts made to support Balinese wine have finally shown positive results for artisans and wine business actors. As a form of appreciation, Governor Koster held a dinner and cocktail party on Saturday (5/11/2022).

In the event, Wayan Koster admitted that he would invite Balinese arak artisans, hotel managers, and Bali tourism entrepreneurs.

“The event aims to convince the public, especially tourism business players, that Arak Bali has received national recognition and meets the quality standards of distilled beverages. So, it is very feasible to serve as a menu dish in hotels and restaurants, "he said.

In determining the WBTb, Arak Bali passed along with eight other cultural heritages, namely Uyah Amed (traditional craft skills), Jaja Laklak (traditional craft skills), Serombotan (traditional craft skills), Lontar Bali (knowledge and behavioral habits regarding nature and the universe).

Furthermore, Sate Lilit (traditional craft skills), Karya Pemijilan Ida Bhatara Sakti Ngerta Gumi (community customs, rites, and celebrations), Berko (performing arts), and Mejaran-jaranan (community customs, rites, and celebrations). celebration).

The stipulation is in the Decree of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia Number 414/P/2022 concerning the Determination of Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2022.(ant/iss/rid)