Influence of Social Behaviors toward Cultural Heritage Sustainability in World Heritage Site, Melaka

Abstract

Cultural heritage is a symbiotic relationship involving society, norms and values. These are the pillars, the triangle relationship to form a smart partnership to sustain cultural heritage (Munjeri, 2004). On the other hand, symbols, technologies and objects are tangible evidence of fundamental norms and values (Bouchenaki, 2003). This two (2) statements show the inevitable association between Tangible Cultural Heritage (TCH) and Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in envisioning the cultural shape and significance towards the community or society. The characteristic of ICH that relies on TCH and the possessors reflects the vulnerability of the elements. As the conservation of TCH is positively achieved, the effort of safeguarding ICH seems missing. The finding in a study by Othman and Hamzah (2013) has confirmed that the preservation and safeguarding effort of ICH is less emphasise in the MWHS. Figure 1 is an illustration on the association of the individual, community, and society, with cultural heritage. These components are important variables of this research.