DENPASAR

Bali is planning to register its traditional sacred dances with UNESCO, the world body that guards heritage.

Wali (sacred) dances are traditionally used by Balinese in any religious activities.

This week the head of Culture Bali, Ida Bagus Sedhawa, said work towards UNESCO registration of the dances as a Balinese cultural expression had reached the stage of grouping dances into classifications.

This involves the Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI) Denpasar and experts from the culture and tourism ministry.

“Researchers are touring districts and towns and have identified several distinct traditions,” Sedhawa said.