Holiday Ayo - Endog Lewo, a traditional food typical of Garut Regency, was officially designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTB) of West Java in 2025. 

This announcement was made by the West Java Provincial Government through the Tourism and Culture Service (Disparbud) on Thursday (9/1). 

Head of the West Java Disparbud, Benny Bachtiar, expressed his appreciation for the team who have worked hard to preserve local culture. 

“This decision is a form of shared responsibility in maintaining and developing the traditional arts heritage in West Java. Hopefully this will be a good start for introducing more local culture to the national and international levels," said Benny.

The appointment of Endog Lewo as WBTB is part of the results of the West Java WBTB Team trial which was held on 18-20 December 2024.

This process involves various stages starting from proposal by the local government to verification and in-depth study by a team of experts.

Of the total 67 cultural works submitted, 42 were successfully designated as WBTB West Java this year.

Endog Lewo is a snack made from rice flour which has been an important part of the culinary tradition in Garut Regency since the 1960s.

The name "Endog Lewo" is taken from the area of origin, namely Lewo Village, which is located in Sukaratu District.

This dish is known for its crunchy texture and savory taste which is suitable to be enjoyed on various occasions.

Apart from being the pride of local culinary delights, Endog Lewo also has a significant impact on the socio-economic impact of the local community.

Head of the Garut Regency Tourism and Culture Service, Luna Avriantini, said that Endog Lewo has become the main source of livelihood for the residents of Sukaratu Village and Sukajaya Village. 

“The existence of Endog Lewo is not only a cultural symbol, but also an economic pillar of the community around its production area. 

“Therefore, we feel the need to fight for it until it is designated as the WBTB of West Java Province," said Luna. 

Luna also expressed her pride in this achievement and hopes that Endog Lewo can continue to develop until it is recognized at the national level. 

The designation of Endog Lewo as WBTB is not only a source of pride for the people of Garut, but also reflects the West Java Government's commitment to preserving traditional arts and culture. 

According to Luna, this step is part of the regional government's big strategy to increase global recognition of local culture. 

“To ensure Endog Lewo remains relevant, we encourage local producers to improve product quality, expand marketing networks and utilize digital technology.

"In this way, Endog Lewo can reach a wider market without losing its traditional identity," he explained.

Apart from that, education for the younger generation is also a main focus. According to Luna, it is important to introduce the history and cultural values of Endog Lewo to young people so that they have pride in their regional cultural heritage.

"We hope that the younger generation can become the successors who maintain the sustainability of Endog Lewo.

"That way, this legacy will not only survive but also develop over time," said Luna.