The Heartbeat of Riau's Traditional Dance Heritage Desa Meskom, located 13 kilometers from Bengkalis City in Riau Province, has gained renown as "Kampung Zapin" (Zapin Village) due to its steadfast commitment to safeguarding one of Indonesia's most culturally significant traditional dances. This coastal village serves as the birthplace and epicenter of Zapin Meskom, an Islamic-influenced dance form that originated from Arab artistic traditions and was masterfully developed by the legendary Muhammad Yazid bin Tomel (1925-2010). Recognized by Indonesia's Ministry of Education and Culture in 2017 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTB), Zapin Meskom represents a remarkable fusion of Middle Eastern origins with local Malay sensibilities, accompanied by traditional instruments including gambus, rebana, and marwas. What makes Kampung Zapin truly extraordinary is its role as a living cultural laboratory where tradition seamlessly blends with contemporary relevance. Under the guidance of master Muhammad Yazid, who created over 20 distinct zapin variations including the famous Tari Zapin Cino Buto, this village transformed from a humble fishing community into an internationally recognized center for traditional Malay dance. The establishment of Sanggar Yarnubih in 1998 has enabled Zapin Meskom to grace stages across Indonesia, Malaysia, and beyond, while maintaining its authentic philosophical foundations rooted in Islamic values and Malay customs. Today, Kampung Zapin continues to attract cultural enthusiasts, researchers, and artists who seek to understand and learn from this remarkable preservation of Indonesia's maritime cultural heritage, making it an invaluable destination for cultural tourism and artistic education.