UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists
Name	Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists
Caption	Emblem of UNESCO
Formed	0 2008
Parent	Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
Website	https://ich.unesco.org/

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists. Established under the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, these lists are a core instrument of UNESCO for recognizing and protecting living cultural practices, knowledge, and expressions worldwide. They aim to raise awareness of cultural diversity and ensure the viability of traditions threatened by globalization and social change. The system comprises three distinct registers, each serving a specific purpose in the global safeguarding effort.

Overview and Purpose

The lists were created following the adoption of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2003, which entered into force in 2006. This international treaty, ratified by member states like France, Japan, and Kenya, marked a paradigm shift from solely preserving physical monuments to also safeguarding living heritage. The overarching purpose is to ensure respect for the intangible cultural heritage of communities, groups, and individuals, to raise awareness at the local, national, and international levels, and to provide for international cooperation and assistance. This framework operates under the guidance of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which meets annually, often in cities like Bogotá or Seoul.

Criteria and Nomination Process

Nomination for inscription is a state-driven process, managed by the UNESCO Secretariat. A country that is a State Party to the Convention must submit a file demonstrating how the element meets a set of strict criteria. These include the element's contribution to ensuring visibility and awareness of intangible cultural heritage, the existence of safeguarding measures, and the widespread participation and consent of the concerned community, such as the Māori people or practitioners of Flamenco. Dossiers are evaluated by a subsidiary body, often involving experts from institutions like the International Council for Traditional Music, before a final decision by the Intergovernmental Committee. The process is rigorous, with many nominations from countries like India or Turkey undergoing several review cycles.

Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

This is the most prominent list, intended to demonstrate the diversity of intangible heritage and ensure greater visibility. It includes widely recognized practices that symbolize cultural wealth, such as the Mediterranean diet, Indonesian batik, and the Carnival of Binche. Inscriptions range from performing arts like Peking opera and Kabuki to social practices like the Arabic coffee tradition and craft techniques such as those of the Masonry of the Dry Stone Wall. Elements from nearly every region are represented, including the Festival of the Patios in Córdoba, the Ritual ceremony of the Voladores, and the Song of Sana'a.

List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding

This list focuses on elements whose viability is at risk, despite the efforts of the community and state, and for which international assistance is sought. Inscription enables access to funds from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund. Examples include the Suiti cultural space in Latvia, the Ma'di bowl lyre music tradition in Uganda, and the Whistled language of La Gomera. These elements often face threats from depopulation, lack of transmission to youth, or environmental pressures, as seen with traditions among the Ainu people or in remote regions of Mongolia.

Register of Good Safeguarding Practices

This register highlights programs, projects, and activities that best reflect the principles and objectives of the Convention. It serves as a repository of successful models for others to emulate. Selected examples include the safeguarding of the Cultural Space of the Brotherhood of the Holy Spirit of the Congos of Villa Mella in the Dominican Republic, the community project for the Táncház method in Hungary, and the national strategy for preserving Living Heritage in Belgium. These programs often involve extensive work by NGOs, universities like the University of Gastronomic Sciences, and national cultural institutes.

Impact and Controversies

The listings have significantly elevated the prestige of traditions, often boosting cultural tourism and local pride, as observed with the Naadam festival or the Art of Neapolitan 'Pizzaiuolo'. However, the system faces critiques, including concerns over the commodification and fossilization of living culture, as debated regarding elements like Yoga or Fado. Political tensions can arise, as seen in disputes between South Korea and Japan over shared heritage, or arguments over the origins of practices like the Art of the Dry Stone Walling. Furthermore, the nomination process is sometimes seen as favoring states with greater administrative capacity, potentially marginalizing communities in nations like Yemen or Mali amidst conflicts.

Category:UNESCO Category:Cultural heritage Category:Lists of intangible cultural heritage