Lumajang, East Java (ANTARA) – Krecek bung, which is a traditional food typical of Lumajang Regency, East Java, was designated as Indonesia’s intangible cultural heritage in a determination hearing held at a hotel in Jakarta some time ago.
“Thank God, krecek bung has been designated as intangible cultural heritage and the trial has been completed, but the determination is still waiting for an invitation from the ministry,” said Head of Culture and Community Education at the Lumajang Regency Education and Culture Service (Disdikbud) Muhammad Suhudi in a written statement received in the local district, Thursday.
According to him, the establishment of intangible cultural heritage is an important milestone in efforts to protect cultural heritage because it is not just a formal recognition of the importance of intangible cultural heritage, but is a commitment to preserve and pass it on to the younger generation.
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His party will take strategic steps to maintain and preserve the traditional krecek bung menu, especially by socializing it to the community and implementing it in all Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD).
“We want to provide space for krecek bung to become the main dish at events in all OPDs in Lumajang Regency, including in villages,” he said.
Suhudi said that the Lumajang Education and Culture Office also provided outreach to the community to be able to provide dry krecek bung as souvenirs for guests who came to their homes.
“The designation of krecek bung culinary as an intangible cultural heritage cannot be separated from the support of the community, cultural figures and Lumajang figures, because it is not just food, but also a representation of local wisdom, creativity and the spirit of mutual cooperation of the Lumajang people,” he said.
He hopes that with its new status as an intangible cultural heritage, krecek bung can further develop and become widely known both at the national and international levels.
“We will develop procedures that can provide space for krecek bung to develop even more rapidly as a typical Lumajang food. We are very grateful for this achievement and next year we plan to apply for more to become Lumajang’s cultural heritage,” he said.
According to him, the designation of krecek bung as intangible cultural heritage is also a momentum to strengthen Lumajang’s cultural identity and it is hoped that the younger generation will be able to increasingly appreciate and preserve cultural heritage, including typical culinary delights such as krecek bung.
