THE KEBAYA—hand-embroidered fabric reflecting detailed lace and embroidery work—is today at once a symbol of style and status, and a shared cultural heritage across Southeast Asia.
Of sartorial elegance, the garment is usually a lace-top paired with a sarong or kain lepas skirt with batik patterns. The traditional wear, threaded with tenun details and steeped in natural dyes, is often handed down for generations.
On 4 December 2024, after being jointly nominated by Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and Thailand, the kebaya was successfully added to UNESCO’s Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This is recognition of the strong historical and cultural relationships that extend across the region. The nomination draws attention to the uniqueness of the textile, and at the same time, encourages educational and intercultural dialogue across communities in Southeast Asia.
