The Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage are established by UNESCO aiming to ensure the better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and the awareness of their significance.[1] Through a compendium of the different oral and intangible treasures of humankind worldwide, the program aims to draw attention to the importance of safeguarding intangible heritage, which has been identified by UNESCO as an essential component and a repository of cultural diversity and creative expression.[2][3]
The programme currently compiles two lists. The longer Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity comprises cultural "practices and expressions [that] help demonstrate the diversity of this heritage and raise awareness about its importance." The shorter List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding is composed of those cultural elements that concerned communities and countries consider require urgent measures to keep them alive.[4][5]
Contents |
The programme was established in 2008, when the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage took effect.[6] Prior to this, a project known as the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity has already been active in recognizing the value of intangibles such as tradition, custom and cultural spaces and the local actors who sustain these forms of cultural expressions through a Proclamation.[2] Identification of the Masterpieces also entails the commitment of states to promote and safeguard these treasures, while UNESCO finances plans for their conservation.[2] Started in 2001 and held biennially until 2005, a total of three Proclamations occurred, encompassing 90 forms of intangible heritage around the world.[3]
The 90 previously proclaimed Masterpieces have been incorporated into the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as its first entries, to be known as elements.[1][7] Subsequent elements will be added following the assessment of nominations submitted by national governments acceding to the UNESCO Convention, termed as member states, who are each allowed to submit a single candidature file, in addition to multi-national candidatures. A panel of experts in intangible heritage and an appointed body, known as the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, then examine each of the nominations before officially inscribing the candidates as elements on the List.[8]
76 more elements were added on 30 September 2009, during the fourth session of the Committee, and a further 47 in 2010.[9][10]
Member state | Element[A] | Year Proclaimed[B] | Year Inscribed[C] | Region[D] | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albania | Albanian Folk Iso-Polyphony | 2005 | 2008 | ENA | [20] |
Algeria | The Ahellil of Gourara | 2005 | 2008 | AST | [21] |
Argentina | The Tango | 2009 | 2009 | LAC | |
Armenia | The Duduk and its Music | 2005 | 2008 | ENA | [22] |
Armenia | Armenian cross-stones art. Symbolism and craftsmanship of Khachkars | 2005 | 2010 | ENA | [23] |
Austria | Viennese Coffee House Culture | 2011 | 2011 | ENA | [24] |
Azerbaijan | The Azerbaijani Mugham | 2003 | 2008 | ENA | [25] |
Azerbaijan | The Azerbaijani Carpet | 2010 | 2010 | ENA | [26] |
Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Turkey | Nowruz | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | |
Azerbaijan | The art of Azerbaijani Ashiq | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | |
Bangladesh | Baul Songs | 2005 | 2008 | APA | [27] |
Belarus | Rite of the Kalyady Tsars (Christmas Tsars) | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | [28] |
Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Spain, Morocco, Mongolia, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Slovak Republic, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates | Falconry, a living human heritage | 2010 | 2010 | ENA, APA, AFR | |
Belgium | Procession of the Holy Blood in Bruges | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | |
Belgium | Leuven age set ritual repertoire | 2011 | 2011 | [29] | |
Belgium & France | Processional Giants and Dragons in Belgium and France | 2005 | 2008 | ENA | [30] |
Belize, Guatemala, Honduras & Nicaragua | Language, Dance and Music of the Garifuna | 2001 | 2008 | LAC | [31] |
Benin, Nigeria & Togo | The Oral Heritage of Gelede | 2001 | 2008 | AFR | [32] |
Bhutan | The Mask Dance of the Drums from Drametse | 2005 | 2008 | APA | [33] |
Bolivia | The Carnival of Oruro | 2001 | 2008 | LAC | [34] |
Bolivia | The Andean Cosmovision of the Kallawaya | 2003 | 2008 | LAC | [35] |
Brazil | Oral and Graphic Expressions of the Wajapi | 2003 | 2008 | LAC | [36] |
Brazil | The Samba de Roda of Recôncavo of Bahia | 2005 | 2008 | LAC | [37] |
Bulgaria | The Bistritsa Babi – Archaic Polyphony, Dances and Rituals from the Shoplouk Region | 2005 | 2008 | ENA | [38] |
Bulgaria | The Nestinarstvo – a Panagyr ritual - fire-dancing rite, on the feast days of Saints Constantine and Helena | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | |
Cambodia | The Royal Ballet of Cambodia | 2003 | 2008 | APA | [39] |
Cambodia | Sbek Thom, Khmer Shadow Theatre | 2005 | 2008 | APA | [40] |
Central African Republic | The Polyphonic Singing of the Aka Pygmies of Central Africa | 2003 | 2008 | AFR | [41] |
China | Kunqu opera | 2001 | 2008 | APA | [12] |
China | The Guqin and its music | 2003 | 2008 | APA | [42] |
China | The Uyghur Muqam of Xinjiang | 2005 | 2008 | APA | [43] |
China | China engraved block printing technique | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | Chinese calligraphy | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | Chinese paper-cut | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | Chinese traditional architectural craftsmanship for timber-framed structures | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | Farmers’ dance of China’s Korean ethnic group | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | Gesar epic tradition | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | Grand song of the Dong ethnic group | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | Hua’er | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | Manas | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | Mongolian art of singing: Khoomei | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | Nanyin | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | Regong arts | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | Sericulture and silk craftsmanship of China | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | The Dragon Boat Festival | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | The Mazu belief and customs | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | The art of Chinese seal engraving | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | The craftsmanship of Nanjing Yunjin brocade | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | The traditional firing technology of Longquan celadon | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | The traditional handicrafts of making Xuan paper | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | Tibetan opera | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | Xi’an wind and percussion ensemble | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | Yueju opera | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
China | Beijing opera | 2010 | 2010 | APA | |
China | Acupuncture and moxibustion of traditional Chinese medicine | 2010 | 2010 | APA | |
China | Meshrep | 2010 | 2010 | APA | [44] |
China | The technique of leak-proof partitions of Chinese junks | 2010 | 2010 | APA | [44] |
China | Chinese printing with wooden movable type | 2010 | 2010 | APA | [44] |
Colombia | The Carnival of Barranquilla | 2003 | 2008 | LAC | [45] |
Colombia | The Cultural Space of Palenque de San Basilio | 2005 | 2008 | LAC | [13] |
Colombia | Carnaval de Negros y Blancos | 2009 | 2009 | LAC | |
Colombia | Holy Week processions in Popayán | 2009 | 2009 | LAC | |
Colombia | The Wayuu normative system, applied by the Pütchipü’üi | 2010 | 2010 | LAC | |
Colombia | Marimba music and traditional chants from Colombia's South Pacific region | 2010 | 2010 | LAC | |
Costa Rica | Oxherding and Oxcart Traditions in Costa Rica | 2005 | 2008 | LAC | [46] |
Côte d’Ivoire | The Gbofe of Afounkaha - the Music of the Transverse Trumps of the Tagbana Community | 2001 | 2008 | AFR | [47] |
Croatia | Annual carnival bell ringers’ pageant from the Kastav area | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | [48] |
Croatia | Gingerbread craft from northern Croatia (Licitar) | 2010 | 2010 | ENA | [49] |
Croatia | Ojkanje singing | 2010 | 2010 | ENA | [50] |
Croatia | Lacemaking in Croatia | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | [51] |
Croatia | Procession Za Križen on the island of Hvar | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | [52] |
Croatia | The Sinjska alka, a knights' tournament in Sinj | 2010 | 2010 | ENA | [53] |
Croatia | Spring procession of Ljelje/Kraljice (queens) from Gorjani | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | [54] |
Croatia | The festivity of Saint Blaise, the patron of Dubrovnik | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | [55] |
Croatia | Traditional manufacturing of children’s wooden toys in Hrvatsko Zagorje | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | [56] |
Croatia | Two-part singing and playing in the Istrian scale | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | [57] |
Croatia | Bećarac singing and playing from Eastern Croatia | 2009 | 2011 | ENA | [58] |
Croatia | Nijemo Kolo, silent circle dance of the Dalmatian hinterland | 2009 | 2011 | ENA | [59] |
Cuba | La Tumba Francesa | 2003 | 2008 | LAC | [60] |
Cyprus | Lefkara laces or Lefkaritika | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | |
Czech Republic | Slovácko Verbuňk, Dance of Recruits | 2005 | 2008 | ENA | [61] |
Dominican Republic | The Cultural Space of the Brotherhood of the Holy Spirit of the Congos of Villa Mella | 2001 | 2008 | LAC | [62] |
Dominican Republic | The Cocolo Dance Drama Tradition | 2005 | 2008 | LAC | [63] |
Egypt | The Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah Epic | 2003 | 2008 | AST | [64] |
Estonia | The Kihnu Cultural Space | 2003 | 2008 | ENA | [65] |
Estonia | Seto Leelo, Seto polyphonic singing tradition | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | [66] |
Estonia, Latvia, & Lithuania | The Baltic Song and Dance Celebrations | 2003 | 2008 | ENA | [67] |
France | Aubusson tapestry | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | |
France | Maloya | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | [68] |
France | The scribing tradition in French timber framing | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | |
Georgia | Georgian Polyphonic Singing | 2001 | 2008 | ENA | [69] |
Greece, Italy, Spain, Morocco | The Mediterranean diet | 2010 | 2010 | ENA, AFR | [70] |
Guatemala | The Rabinal Achí Dance Drama Tradition | 2005 | 2008 | LAC | [71] |
Guinea | The Cultural Space of Sosso-Bala | 2001 | 2008 | AFR | [72] |
Hungary | Busó festivities at Mohács: masked end-of-winter carnival custom | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | |
India | Kutiyattam, Sanskrit Theatre | 2001 | 2008 | APA | [73] |
India | The Tradition of Vedic Chanting | 2003 | 2008 | APA | [74] |
India | Ramlila - the Traditional Performance of the Ramayana | 2005 | 2008 | APA | [14] |
India | Ramman: religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
India | Mudiyettu: a ritual theatre of Kerala | 2010 | APA | ||
India | Kalbelia: folk songs and dances of Rajasthan | 2010 | APA | ||
India | Chhau dance: a tradition from eastern India | 2010 | APA | ||
Indonesia | The Wayang Puppet Theatre | 2003 | 2008 | APA | [15] |
Indonesia | The Indonesian Kris | 2005 | 2008 | APA | [75] |
Indonesia | The Indonesian Batik | 2009 | 2009 | APA | [76] |
Indonesia | The Indonesian Angklung | 2010 | 2010 | APA | [77] |
Iran (Persia) | The Radif of Persian music, | 2009 | 2009 | APA | [78] |
Iraq | The Iraqi Maqam | 2003 | 2008 | AST | [79] |
Italy | Opera dei Pupi, Sicilian Puppet Theatre | 2001 | 2008 | ENA | [80] |
Italy | Canto a tenore, Sardinian Pastoral Songs | 2005 | 2008 | ENA | [81] |
Jamaica | The Maroon Heritage of Moore Town | 2003 | 2008 | LAC | [82] |
Japan | Nôgaku Theatre | 2001 | 2008 | APA | [83] |
Japan | Ningyo Johruri Bunraku Puppet Theatre | 2003 | 2008 | APA | [84] |
Japan | Kabuki Theatre | 2005 | 2008 | APA | [85] |
Japan | Akiu no Taue Odori | 2009 | 2009 | APA | [86] |
Japan | Chakkirako | 2009 | 2009 | APA | [87] |
Japan | Daimokutate | 2009 | 2009 | APA | [88] |
Japan | Dainichido Bugaku | 2009 | 2009 | APA | [89] |
Japan | Gagaku | 2009 | 2009 | APA | [90] |
Japan | Hayachine Kagura | 2009 | 2009 | APA | [91] |
Japan | Hitachi Furyumono | 2009 | 2009 | APA | [92] |
Japan | Koshikijima no Toshidon | 2009 | 2009 | APA | [93] |
Japan | Ojiya-chijimi, Echigo-jofu: techniques of making ramie fabric in Uonuma region, Niigata Prefecture | 2009 | 2009 | APA | [94] |
Japan | Oku-noto no Aenokoto | 2009 | 2009 | APA | [95] |
Japan | Sekishu-Banshi: papermaking in the Iwami region of Shimane Prefecture | 2009 | 2009 | APA | [96] |
Japan | Traditional Ainu dance | 2009 | 2009 | APA | [97] |
Japan | Yamahoko, the float ceremony of the Kyoto Gion festival | 2009 | 2009 | APA | [98] |
Japan | Kumiodori, traditional Okinawan musical theatre | 2010 | 2010 | APA | [99] |
Japan | Yuki tsumugi, silk fabric production technique | 2010 | 2010 | APA | [100] |
Jordan | The Cultural Space of the Bedu in Petra and Wadi Rum | 2005 | 2008 | AST | [101] |
Kyrgyzstan | The Art of Akyns, Kyrgyz Epic Tellers | 2003 | 2008 | APA | [102] |
Lithuania | Cross-crafting and its Symbolism | 2001 | 2008 | ENA | [103] |
Lithuania | Sutartinės, Lithuanian multipart songs | 2008 | 2010 | ENA | [104] |
Madagascar | The Woodcrafting Knowledge of the Zafimaniry | 2003 | 2008 | AFR | [105] |
Malawi | The Vimbuza Healing Dance | 2005 | 2008 | AFR | [106] |
Malawi, Mozambique & Zambia | The Gule Wamkulu | 2005 | 2008 | AFR | [107] |
Malaysia | Mak Yong Theatre | 2005 | 2008 | APA | [108] |
Mali | The Cultural Space of the Yaaral and Degal | 2003 | 2008 | AFR | [109] |
Mali | The Manden Charter, proclaimed in Kurukan Fuga | 2009 | 2009 | AFR | |
Mali | The septennial re-roofing ceremony of the Kamablon, sacred house of Kangaba | 2009 | 2009 | AFR | |
Mexico | The Indigenous Festivity dedicated to the Dead | 2003 | 2008 | LAC | [110] |
Mexico | Places of memory and living traditions of the Otomí-Chichimecas people of Tolimán: the Peña de Bernal, guardian of a sacred territory | 2009 | 2009 | LAC | [111] |
Mexico | Ritual ceremony of the Voladores: Papantla, El Tajín | 2009 | 2009 | LAC | [112] |
Mexico | Traditional Mexican cuisine - ancestral, ongoing community culture, the Michoacán paradigm | 2010 | 2010 | LAC | [113] |
Mexico | Parachicos in the traditional January feast of Chiapa de Corzo | 2010 | 2010 | LAC | [115] |
Mexico | Pirekua, traditional song of the P’urhépecha | 2010 | 2010 | LAC | [116] |
Mongolia | The Traditional Music of the Morin Khuur | 2003 | 2008 | APA | [117] |
Mongolia | The Traditional Naadam festival | 2010 | 2010 | APA | [118] |
Mongolia & China | Urtiin Duu - Traditional Folk Long Song | 2005 | 2008 | APA | [119] |
Morocco | The Cultural Space of Jemaa el-Fna Square | 2001 | 2008 | AST | [120] |
Morocco | The Moussem of Tan-Tan | 2005 | 2008 | AST | [121] |
Mozambique | The Chopi Timbila | 2005 | 2008 | AFR | [122] |
Nicaragua | El Güegüense | 2005 | 2008 | LAC | [123] |
Nigeria | The Ifá Divination System | 2005 | 2008 | AFR | [124] |
Nigeria | Ijele masquerade | 2009 | 2009 | AFR | |
Palestinian Territories | The Palestinian Hikaye | 2005 | 2008 | AST | [125] |
Peru - Ecuador | The Oral Heritage and Cultural Manifestations of the Záparo People | 2001 | 2008 | LAC | [126] |
Peru | Taquile and its Textile Art | 2005 | 2008 | LAC | [16] |
Peru | Huaconada, ritual dance of Mito | 2010 | 2010 | LAC | [127] |
Peru | The scissors dance | 2010 | 2010 | LAC | [128] |
Peru | Eshuva, Harákmbut sung prayers of Peru’s Huachipaire people | 2011 | 2011 | LAC | [129] |
Peru | Pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the Lord of Qoyllurit’i | 2011 | 2011 | LAC | [130] |
Philippines | The Hudhud Chants of the Ifugao | 2001 | 2008 | APA | [131] |
Philippines | The Darangen Epic of the Maranao People of Lake Lanao | 2005 | 2008 | APA | [132] |
Portugal | The Fado, urban popular song of Portugal, performance genre incorporating music and poetry widely practised by various communities in the country | 2011 | 2011 | ENA | [133] |
Republic of Korea | The Royal Ancestral Ritual in the Jongmyo Shrine and its Music | 2001 | 2008 | APA | [134] |
Republic of Korea | The Pansori Epic Chant | 2003 | 2008 | APA | [17] |
Republic of Korea | The Gangneung Danoje Festival | 2005 | 2008 | APA | [135] |
Republic of Korea | Cheoyongmu | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
Republic of Korea | Ganggangsullae | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
Republic of Korea | Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
Republic of Korea | Namsadang Nori | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
Republic of Korea | Yeongsanjae | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
Romania | The Căluş Tradition | 2005 | 2008 | ENA | [136] |
Romania | Doina | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | |
Russian Federation | The Cultural Space and Oral Culture of the Semeiskie | 2001 | 2008 | ENA | [137] |
Russian Federation | The Olonkho, Yakut Heroic Epos | 2005 | 2008 | ENA | [138] |
Senegal & Gambia | The Kankurang, Manding Initiatory Rite | 2005 | 2008 | AFR | [139] |
Slovakia | The Fujara and its Music | 2005 | 2008 | ENA | [140] |
Spain | The Mystery Play of Elche | 2001 | 2008 | ENA | [141] |
Spain | The Patum of Berga | 2005 | 2008 | ENA | [142] |
Spain | Irrigators’ tribunals of the Spanish Mediterranean coast: the Council of Wise Men of the plain of Murcia and the Water Tribunal of the plain of Valencia | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | |
Spain | Whistled language of the island of La Gomera | 2009 | 2009 | ENA | |
Spain | Human towers | 2010 | 2010 | ENA | |
Spain | Flamenco | 2010 | 2010 | ENA | |
Spain | The chant of the Sybil on Majorca | 2010 | 2010 | ENA | |
Tonga | The Lakalaka, Dances and Sung Speeches of Tonga | 2003 | 2008 | APA | [19] |
Turkey | The Arts of the Meddah, Public Storytellers | 2003 | 2008 | APA | [143] |
Turkey | The Mevlevi Sema Ceremony | 2005 | 2008 | APA | [18] |
Turkey | Hacivat'la Karagöz | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
Turkey | Âşıklık tradition | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
Uganda | Barkcloth Making in Uganda | 2005 | 2008 | AFR | [144] |
Uruguay | The Candombe and its socio-cultural space: a community practice | 2009 | 2009 | LAC | |
Uruguay | The Tango | 2009 | 2009 | LAC | |
Uzbekistan | The Cultural Space of the Boysun District | 2001 | 2008 | APA | [145] |
Uzbekistan | Shashmaqom Music | 2003 | 2008 | APA | [146] |
Uzbekistan | Katta Ashula | 2009 | 2009 | APA | |
Vanuatu | Vanuatu Sand Drawings | 2003 | 2008 | APA | [147] |
Viet Nam | Nha Nhac, Vietnamese Court Music | 2003 | 2008 | APA | [148] |
Viet Nam | The Space of Gong Culture | 2005 | 2008 | APA | [149] |
Viet Nam | The Quan ho folk songs | 2009 | 2009 | APA | [150] |
Viet Nam | The Giong Festival at Phu Dong and Soc temples, Hanoi | 2010 | 2010 | APA | [150] |
Yemen | The Song of Sana’a | 2003 | 2008 | AST | [151] |
Zambia | The Makishi Masquerade | 2005 | 2008 | AFR | [152] |
Zimbabwe | The Mbende Jerusarema Dance | 2005 | 2008 | AFR | [153] |
Reflecting the program’s aim of raising awareness on intangible heritage, the three instances of Proclamation saw an increasing trend in the number of candidates submitted by member states, as well as in the number of Masterpieces ultimately proclaimed:
Proclamation | Date | Number of Masterpieces | Number of candidates |
---|---|---|---|
1st | May 2001 | 19 | 32 |
2nd | November 2003 | 28 | 56 |
3rd | November 2005 | 43 | 64 |
4th | 2009 | 76 |
Reflecting in its size the vast variety and scope of intangible heritage, Asia and the Pacific Region accounts for more than a third of all the Masterpieces proclaimed. China leads the region with four Masterpieces (one shared with Mongolia), followed by India, Japan and the Republic of Korea with three each.
Region | Number of Masterpieces | Number of member states/territories |
---|---|---|
Africa | 14 | 15 |
Arab States | 8 | 7 |
Asia and the Pacific | 32 | 18[E] |
Europe and North America | 19 | 17[F] |
Latin America and the Caribbean | 17 | 14 |
Total | 90 | 71 |
^ A. Names and spellings used for the elements were based on the official List as published.
^ B. A total of three Proclamations of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity were made in 2001, 2003 and 2005. The proclamation was superseded in 2008 when the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was established.
^ C. The 90 elements that were previously proclaimed as Masterpieces have been inscribed onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as per the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
^ D. Grouping of member states by region is based on the official List as published. Abbreviations were used for convenience:
^ E. Turkey is included in the Asia and the Pacific Region.
^ F. The Transcaucasian States of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, and Russian Federation are included in the Europe and North America Region.