‘The blooming flower under the Garuda Bird’: Articulation and agency in safeguarding intangible culture in Indonesia's new capital city

The development of Indonesia's new capital city in East Kalimantan threatens the local communities' intangible cultural heritage. By applying articulation and agency concepts, the aim of this article is to examine the role of local actors in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in Indonesia's new capital city (IKN), East Kalimantan. Data was collected through interviews, focus group discussion, and observations of the Paser and Paser Balik communities and government stakeholders in Penajam Paser Utara (North Penajam Paser Regency). This article indicates that the presence of IKN has made local agents revive five intangible cultural heritages through studios and festivals, and youths are primary drivers. This study concludes that “bottom up” safeguarding of intangible cultural heritages is crucial in Indonesia's new capital city. Hence, the necessary policy is to support local agents. The key is agents who articulate various intangible cultures so that they remain alive currents that will enter along with the development of the new capital city.