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Intangible Cultural Heritage: UNESCO inscribes 47 elements |
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UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, meeting in Rabat from 28 November to 3 December, inscribed 47 elements submitted by 60 countries on the Intangible Cultural Heritage lists.
5 December 2022/ UNESCO
UNESCO, as the United Nations Organization in charge of culture, ensures the safeguarding and transmission of intangible cultural heritage, i.e. traditional knowledge, arts and skills.
In 2003, it created a dedicated instrument: the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, ratified by 180 States, which has already allowed for the inscription of more than 600 elements throughout the world.
New inscriptions
The 17th session of the intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of this heritage, chaired by the Kingdom of Morocco, led to the inscription by States sitting on the Committee of 47 elements including: four on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, 39 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and four on the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices.
"Congratulation to the States that have put forward these proposals, the members of the Committee for the quality of their debates, Morocco for hosting them and the 180 States that bring this UNESCO Convention to life. This living heritage plays an essential role in bringing people together and making peace grow in the minds of men."
UNESCO Director-General
Audrey Azoulay
One third of the elements inscribed this year relate to nature and the important challenge of safeguarding biodiversity. The international community is thus demonstrating its determination to make environmental protection a priority in all circumstances.
One third of the new inscriptions concern practices related to environmental protection. They often concern ancestral agricultural techniques that are mindful of the sustainable use of resources, as well as rituals and festive events that celebrate nature. These elements are a reminder that ancestral knowledge can be crucial in meeting the new challenges of our age, such as climate change.
The full range of new inscriptions is included further down in the present communiqué.
Emergency assistance and one withdrawal from the list
The Committee also decided to grant $305,000 in financial assistance from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund to a safeguarding project submitted by Malawi.
In a unanimous decision, the Committee withdrew the Ducasse d’Ath from the Processional Giants and Dragons in Belgium and France, an element inscribed on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2008.
The members of the Committee took this decision due to the presence in the Ducasse d’Ath procession of a chained black character called “le Sauvage,” a racist and discriminatory representation that stands in contradiction to the founding principles of UNESCO, and to the requirement of mutual respect expressed in Article 2 of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention.
New incriptions in Latin American and Caribbean Member States
New inscriptions on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding
The List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding identifies elements of living heritage whose continuity is threatened. It allows for the mobilization of international cooperation and assistance to strengthen the transmission of these cultural practices in agreement with the communities concerned. It now includes 76 elements.
Chile — Quinchamalí and Santa Cruz de Cuca pottery
Chile’s Quinchamalí and Santa Cruz de Cuca pottery includes functional and decorative objects characterized by the use of black with white accents, created using techniques dating back centuries. Women hold the knowledge and practice of pottery, which is a source of social and economic autonomy. However, the viability of the element is threatened by demographic and environmental factors and precarious social conditions. For instance, access to raw materials is becoming increasingly difficult due to a loss of biodiversity and soil degradation.
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity aims to give greater visibility to the traditions and skills practiced by communities. The List now includes 569 elements.
Colombia — Ancestral system of knowledge of the four indigenous peoples, Arhuaco, Kankuamo, Kogui and Wiwa of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
The Ancestral System of Knowledge of the Arhuaco, Kankuamo, Kogui and Wiwa peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is composed of the sacred mandates that keep the existence of the four peoples in harmony with the physical and spiritual universe. Believed to play a fundamental role in protecting the region’s ecosystem and cultural identity, this ancestral wisdom is transmitted through cultural practice, community activities, the use of the indigenous language and the implementation of the sacred mandates.
Cuba — Knowledge of the light rum masters
The Cuban light rum masters’ expertise is a set of traditional and scientific knowledge and techniques that ensures the safeguarding of the Cuban light rum manufacturing process. They follow an ethical code centred on respect for Cuban rum culture and history and for the environment. Their expertise ensures the safeguarding of the manufacturing process, and being a light rum expert entails a life-long learning process that is passed down from generation to generation.
Guatemala — Holy Week in Guatemala
Holy Week in Guatemala is one of the country’s most notable events, entailing processions, vigils, funeral marches, seasonal gastronomy and the creation of altars as well as carpets of flowers and fruits. The practices and traditions associated with Holy Week have been transmitted to younger generations for centuries through active participation in the event and its preparation. A representation of Guatemala’s cultural diversity and a symbol of hope and union, the event promotes tolerance, inclusion and respect thanks to the participation of people from different social groups.
See all the inscriptions clicking this link
The next session of the Committee, in 2023, will be chaired by Botswana.
More information
Press resources
Videos of inscribed elements
Media contact
Lucía Iglesias Kuntz
Spanish editor
Phone: +33145681702
E-mail:l.iglesias@unesco.org
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Related Link(s): Intangible Heritage |
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