Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Intangible Cultural Heritage
Intangible Cultural Heritage
172
Intangible cultural
Photo © Ferdinand de Jong
UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage proposes five broad ‘domains’ in which intangible
cultural heritage is manifested:
Photo © A.Burtsev
I Performing arts;
LL The Kankurang,
I Social practices, rituals and festive events; Manding Initiatory Rite,
Senegal and Gambia
I Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; L The Olonkho, Yakut Heroic
Epos, Russian Federation
heritage domains
Instances of intangible cultural heritage are not might make minute distinctions between
intangible cultural heritage that include singing, use a different system of domains. There is
dancing, theatre, feasting, oral tradition and already a wide degree of variation, with some
storytelling, displays of craftsmanship, sports and countries dividing up the manifestations of
other entertainments. The boundaries between intangible cultural heritage differently, while
domains are extremely fluid and often vary from others use broadly similar domains to those of
community to community. It is difficult, if not the Convention with alternative names. They
impossible, to impose rigid categories externally. may add further domains or new sub-categories LL The Woodcrafting
Knowledge of the
While one community might view their chanted to existing domains. This may involve
Zafimaniry, Madagascar
verse as a form of ritual, another would interpret incorporating ‘sub-domains’ already in use in
it as song. Similarly, what one community defines countries where intangible cultural heritage is L Oral and Graphic
Photo © M. Revelard
rhymes and so the protection of languages and the The Olonkho, the Heroic Epos of the Yakut people
transmission of oral traditions and expressions are of the Russian Federation, reflects Yakut beliefs
very closely linked. and customs, shamanistic practices, oral history
and values. The ‘Olonkhosut’ or narrator must
Like other forms of intangible cultural heritage, oral excel in acting, singing, eloquence and poetic
traditions are threatened by rapid urbanisation, improvisation. Like most oral traditions, there are
Photo © UNESCO
large-scale migration, industrialisation and multiple versions of Olonkho, the longest of which
environmental change. Books, newspapers and totals over 15,000 lines of verse.
magazines, radio, television and the Internet can
have an especially damaging effect on oral The Palestinian Hikaye is told by women to other
traditions and expressions. Modern mass media women and children, and offers an often critical
may significantly alter or over replace traditional view of society from women’s perspectives. Almost
forms of oral expression. Epic poems that once took every Palestinian woman over the age of 70 is a
several days to recite in full may be reduced to just Hikaye teller, and the tradition is mainly carried on
promoted and new contexts, such as storytelling Kyrgyzstan where recognized epic-tellers, the
festivals, encouraged to allow traditional creativity Akyns, pass on their knowledge and skills to groups
to find new means of expression. In the spirit of the of young apprentices preparing themselves to
2003 Convention, safeguarding measures should become modern Akyns in a few years. The teachers
focus on oral traditions and expressions as may use audio-visual equipment, recordings and
processes, where communities are free to explore texts, but the person-to-person form of learning
their cultural heritage, rather than as products. remains intact.
L The Mask Dance of the Performing arts Dance, though very complex, may be described
Drums from Drametse, The performing arts range from vocal and simply as ordered bodily movements, usually
Bhutan
instrumental music, dance and theatre to performed to music. Apart form its physical
pantomime, sung verse and beyond. They aspect, the rhythmic movements, steps and
include numerous cultural expressions that gestures of dance often express a sentiment or
reflect human creativity and that are also found, mood or illustrate a specific event or daily act,
to some extent, in many other intangible such as religious dances and those representing
cultural heritage domains. hunting, warfare or sexual activity.
Music is perhaps the most universal of the Traditional theatre performances usually
performing arts and is found in every society, combine acting, singing, dance and music,
most often as an integral part of other performing dialogue, narration or recitation but may also
art forms and other domains of intangible cultural include puppetry or pantomime. These arts,
heritage including rituals, festive events or oral however, are more than simply ‘performances’
traditions. It can be found in the most diverse for an audience; they may also play crucial roles
contexts: sacred or profane, classical or popular, in culture and society such as songs sung while
closely connected to work or entertainment. carrying out agricultural work or music that is
There may also be a political or economic part of a ritual. In a more intimate setting,
dimension to music: it can recount a community’s lullabies are often sung to help a baby sleep.
history, sing the praises of a powerful person and
play a key role in economic transactions. The The instruments, objects, artefacts and spaces
occasions on which music is performed are just as associated with cultural expressions and
varied: marriages, funerals, rituals and initiations, practices are all included in the Convention’s
I Flautist at Charouine, festivities, all kinds of entertainment as well as definition of intangible cultural heritage. In the
Algeria many other social functions. performing arts this includes musical
DOMAINS . 7
instruments, masks, costumes and other body The Samba de Roda of Recôncavo of Bahia
decorations used in dance, and the scenery and (Brazil) developed from the dances and
props of theatre. Performing arts are often cultural traditions of slaves of African origin but
performed in specific places; when these also incorporates elements of Portuguese
spaces are closely linked to the performance, culture, particularly the language and poetic
this, with the recent explosion in the popularity characters. Traditionally enacted in the sacred
of ‘World Music’. Though it performs an space of temples, Kutiyattam performances
important role in cultural exchange and always include an oil lamp on stage to
encourages creativity that enriches the symbolise a divine presence.
international art scene, the phenomenon can
also cause problems. Many diverse forms of Slovácko Verbuňk, Recruit Dances (Czech
music may be homogenized with the goal of Republic) are traditionally danced by men of
delivering a consistent product. In these all ages. Rather than being bound to a precise
Many music traditions have been adapted to fit Safeguarding measures for traditional
L The Royal Ballet of western forms of notation so they may be performing arts should focus mainly on
Cambodia recorded, or for the purpose of education, but transmission of knowledge and techniques, of
this process can be destructive. Many forms of playing and making instruments and
music use scales with tones and intervals that strengthening the bond between master and
do not correspond to standard western forms apprentice. The subtleties of a song, the
and tonal subtleties may be lost in the process movements of a dance and theatrical
of transcription. As well as music being interpretations should all be reinforced.
Social practices, rituals and festive events Social practices shape everyday life and are
Social practices, rituals and festive events are familiar to all members of the community, even
habitual activities that structure the lives of if not everybody participates in them. Distinctive
communities and groups and that are shared by social practices that are specially relevant to a
and relevant to many of their members. They are community and help reinforce a sense of
significant because they reaffirm the identity of identity and continuity with the past are given
those who practise them as a group or a society priority in the 2003 Convention. For example, in
and, whether performed in public or private, are many communities greeting ceremonies are
closely linked to important events. Social, ritual informal while in others they are more elaborate
and festive practices may help to mark the and ritualistic, acting as a marker of identity for
passing of the seasons, events in the agricultural the society. Similarly, practices of giving and
calendar or the stages of a person’s life. They are
closely linked to a community’s worldview and
perception of its own history and memory. They
vary from small gatherings to large-scale social The Royal Ancestral Ritual, practised at the
celebrations and commemorations. Each of Jongmyo Shrine in Seoul (Republic of Korea),
receiving gifts may range from casual events to The rich variety of social practices performed at
formal arrangements with significant political, the Jemaa el-Fna Square in Marrakesh
economic or social meanings. (Morocco) were threatened with gradual
disappearance due to urban growth and
Social practices, rituals and festive events involve development projects that produced heavy
a dazzling variety of forms: worship rites; rites of traffic and air pollution. In an attempt to
passage; birth, wedding and funeral rituals; resolve the conflict between urban planning
oaths of allegiance; traditional legal systems; and economic development and cultural and
traditional games and sports; kinship and ritual environmental concerns, authorities created
kinship ceremonies; settlement patterns; pedestrian streets converging on the Square
Migration, especially of young people, may draw masks and providing for the participants is often
Photo © UNESCO / Chimbidzikai Mapfumo
those who practise forms of intangible cultural very expensive and may not be sustainable in
heritage away from their communities and times of economic downturn.
endanger some cultural practices. At the same
time, however, social practices, rituals and festive Ensuring the continuity of social practices, rituals
events may serve as special occasions on which or festive events often requires the mobilization
people return home to celebrate with their of large numbers of individuals and the social,
family and community, reaffirming their identity L The Mbende Jerusarema political and legal institutions and mechanisms
and link to the community’s traditions. Dance, Zimbabwe of a society. While respecting customary
practices that might limit participation to certain
Many communities find that tourists are groups, it may also be desirable to encourage
increasingly participating in their festive events the broadest public participation possible. In
and while there may be positive aspects to some cases, legal and formal measures need to
tourist involvement, the festivals often suffer in be taken to guarantee the access rights of the
Photo © Luiz Santoz / UNESCO
the same way as traditional performing arts. The community to its sacred places, crucial objects,
viability of social practices, rituals and especially or natural resources necessary for the
festive events may also depend quite heavily on performance of social practices, rituals and
general socio-economic conditions. The J The Samba de Roda of festive events.
preparations, the production of costumes and Recôncavo of Bahia, Brazil
12 . INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE DOMAINS
Knowledge and practices concerning flora, traditional healing systems, rituals, beliefs,
nature and the universe initiatory rites, cosmologies, shamanism,
Knowledge and practices concerning nature possession rites, social organisations, festivals,
and the universe include knowledge, know- languages and visual arts.
how, skills, practices and representations
developed by communities by interacting with Traditional knowledge and practices lie at the
the natural environment. These ways of thinking heart of a community’s culture and identity but
about the universe are expressed through are under serious threat from globalisation. Even
language, oral traditions, feelings of attachment though some aspects of traditional knowledge,
towards a place, memories, spirituality and such as medicinal uses of local plant species,
worldview. They also strongly influence values may be of interest to scientists and corporations,
and beliefs and underlie many social practices many traditional practices are nevertheless
and cultural traditions. They, in turn, are shaped disappearing. Rapid urbanisation and the k Nha Nhac, Vietnamese
by the natural environment and the extension of agricultural lands can have a Court Music
community’s wider world. marked effect on a community’s natural kk Vanuatu Sand
environment and their knowledge of it; clearing Drawings
This domain includes numerous areas such as land may result in the disappearance of a sacred K The Indigenous Festivity
traditional ecological wisdom, indigenous forest or the need to find an alternative source dedicated to the Dead,
knowledge, knowledge about local fauna and of wood for building. Climate change, continued Mexico
Photo © Hue Monument Conservation Centre
Photo © Vanuatu National Cultural Council
DOMAINS . 13
deforestation and the ongoing spread of deserts In addition to a rich pharmacopeia, the priest
inevitably threaten many endangered species doctors of Kallawaya in Andrean Bolivia have
literature, history and occult sciences. Although involved in craftsmanship rather than the craft
active and honoured empus who produce high- products themselves. Rather than focusing on
quality kris in the traditional way can still be found preserving craft objects, safeguarding attempts
on many islands, their number is dramatically should instead concentrate on encouraging
decreasing, and it is more difficult for them to find artisans to continue to produce craft and to pass
people to whom they can pass on their skills. their skills and knowledge onto others,
particularly within their own communities.
The most visible emblem of the Kihnu Cultural
Space (Estonia) is the woollen handicrafts worn There are numerous expressions of traditional
Photo © Marc Soosaar
by the women of the community. Working in their craftsmanship: tools; clothing and jewellery;
homes using traditional looms and local wool, costumes and props for festivals and performing
the women weave and knit mittens, stockings, arts; storage containers, objects used for storage,
skirts and blouses; many of the symbolic forms transport and shelter; decorative art and ritual
Photo © J. K Walusimbi
and colours adorning these striking garments are objects; musical instruments and household
rooted in ancient legends. utensils, and toys, both for amusement and
education. Many of these objects are only
Barkcloth Making in Uganda involves some of intended to be used for a short time, such as
humankind’s oldest knowledge, a prehistoric those created for festival rites, while others may
Photo © J.K Walusimbi
technique that predates the invention of weaving. become heirloom that are passed from
Barkcloth is mainly worn at coronation and generation to generation. The skills involved in
healing ceremonies, funerals and cultural creating craft objects are as varied as the items
gatherings, but is also used for curtains, mosquito themselves and range from delicate, detailed work
screens, bedding and storage. With the such as producing paper votives to robust, rugged
Photo © JAlexis Lecomte, Ministère de la Culture, France
introduction of cotton cloth by caravan traders, tasks like creating a sturdy basket or thick blanket.
production slowed and barkcloth’s cultural and
spiritual functions diminished, until its revival in Like other forms of intangible cultural heritage,
recent decades. globalization poses significant challenges to the
survival of traditional forms of craftsmanship. Mass
In France, the ‘Maîtres d’Art’ system recognizes production, whether on the level of large
dozens of exemplary craftspeople in fields as multinational corporations or local cottage
diverse as musical instrument-making, textile arts industries, can often supply goods needed for
and bookbinding. The aim of the system is to daily life at a lower cost, both in terms of currency
support the transmission of their knowledge and and time, than hand production. Many
skills to others. craftspeople struggle to adapt to this competition.
Environmental and climatic pressures impact on
Photo © Lithuania Folk Culture Centre
In the Lithuanian city of Prienai, a centre and traditional craftsmanship too, with deforestation
workshop have been set up to promote the area’s and land clearing reducing the availability of key
cross-crafting traditions. Here apprentices can natural resources. Even in cases where traditional
learn cross-crafting from masters to meet the artisanship develops into a cottage industry, the
orders of local towns and private customers, both increased scale of production may result in
domestic and international. damage to the environment.
communities may find the sometimes lengthy creating new ones. In response to urbanization
apprenticeship necessary to learn many and industrialization, many people around the
traditional forms of craft too demanding and world enjoy handmade objects that are imbued
instead seek work in factories or service industry with the accumulated knowledge and cultural
where the work is less exacting and the pay often values of the craftspeople and which offer a softer
better. Many craft traditions involve ‘trade secrets’ alternative to the numerous ‘high tech’ items that
that should not be taught to outsiders but if dominate global consumer culture.
family members or community members are not K The Indonesian Kris
interested in learning it, the knowledge may In other cases, trees can be replanted to try and
disappear because sharing it with strangers offset the damage done to traditional crafts
Photo © Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the
intangible cultural heritage, is to ensure that the gather resources, while also ensuring
knowledge and skills associated with traditional environmental protection.
artisanry are passed on to future generations so
that crafts can continue to be produced within Further legal measures, such as intellectual
their communities, providing livelihoods to their property protections and patent or copyright
makers and reflecting creativity. registrations, can help a community to benefit
Photo © Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the
to offer financial incentives to students and market for handmade paper bags and containers
teachers to make knowledge transfer more woven from grass, allowing traditional craft skills
attractive to both. and knowledge to thrive.
With the support of the Government
of Norway
Intangible
Cultural
Heritage
Photo © iStockphoto
K Chinese temple dragon