24 Festive Drums on the Road to UNESCO
From Malaysia to the world — carrying the 24 Festive Drums from a cultural art form toward the shared heritage of humanity.
for the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage
A nationwide movement in support of the nomination
On 19–21 September 2025, the Department of National Heritage (Jabatan Warisan Negara) hosted the “24 Festive Drums UNESCO Nomination Workshop” (Bengkel Pencalonan Gendang 24 Perayaan) in Johor Bahru, bringing together drummers from across the nation, before the nomination dossier was submitted to the Southern Regional Heritage Office (Pejabat Warisan Zon Selatan). Drummers raised banners reading “We support 24 Festive Drums to UNESCO” and “The 24 Festive Drums are our cultural heritage.”
Drummers from across the nation gather in support of the 24 Festive Drums’ UNESCO nomination
From Johor Bahru, drumming to the world
Grand ensemble at Johor Ancient Temple · Opening drumming at China National Games
Inclusive · Enduring · People-centred
Inclusiveness
Drummers of 16 nationalities perform side by side, crossing religions and ethnicities — “all drummers are one family.” An art form of Chinese origin has become a language shared by the world.
Long-term development
From campuses to professional troupes, from elite competitions to international festivals, a museum and textbooks — a sustained ecosystem of transmission that keeps the art alive for generations.
People-centred
Rooted in advancing culture and in forging the character of each drummer; the drums are not merely performance, but a process that cultivates personal soft skills and team spirit.
38 Years · Nomination · Five Continents Celebrating Together
In 2026 the 24 Festive Drums mark their 38th anniversary. From the naming ceremony of the great drum at the Johor Ancient Temple in 1988 to today’s journey toward UNESCO — the anniversary is celebrated with drummers worldwide under the theme “38 Years, Nomination, Five Continents Celebrating Together.”
- · The five Johor clan associations (Hainan, Guangzhao, Hakka, Hokkien, Teochew Eight Districts) and the Johor Bahru Chinese Association appointed as Permanent Honorary Advisors / Presidents
- · Great-drum naming · Appointment ceremony · Anniversary drum banquet
- · Theme: Drumbeats that stir the heavens, calling forth the sounds of home
1988 great-drum naming at Johor Ancient Temple (origin) · 38th anniversary appointment ceremony
A self-sustaining ecosystem of the drum art
International Drum Festival (KLCC) · 24 Festive Drums Museum, Johor Bahru
Twenty-four drums, twenty-four partners
The 24 Festive Drums take their name from the 24 solar terms. This time, each of the twenty-four drumheads carries the name of a partner walking this road with us. Our thanks to every one of them — because of you, a drum born in Malaysia can sound on the world stage.
“Together Towards UNESCO” · Partners of the 24 Festive Drums UNESCO nomination
