Documentation Strategy for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in Cultural Heritage Institutions: Mak Yong Performing Art Collection

Abstract

United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recognized Mak Yong’s Theater Performing Art as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity by September 2005 (UNESCO, “Mak Yong Theater”, https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/mak-yong-theatre-00167, (September 28, 2016)). Unfortunately, Mak Yong was declared as an irrelevant form of performing art due to the prohibition in the year 1991 since the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) that took control of the state. It is viewed as being non-compliant to Islamic teachings. Various efforts have been undertaken to protect cultural heritage by collecting and documenting especially in the manifestation of intangible cultural value in order to consolidate and nurture appreciation of the cultural heritage within society. Thus, this study explores the documentation strategy approach obtainable in cultural heritage institutions on preserving and safeguarding ICH collections. A novel qualitative methodological approach was used by employing a case study design; semi-structured interviews were conducted to examine the aperture on the implementation of documenting ICH collection in the National Archives, National Museum, and the National Library of Malaysia.