UNESCO recognises intangible heritage
Ninety examples of intangible heritage have been incorporated into a representative list of what UNESCO describes as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Rather than featuring physical sites such as the Great Wall of China or the Taj Mahal, intangible heritage focuses on oral history, dances, songs, festivals and even traditional dress.
Examples of intangible heritage on the initial list include mask dances from Bhutan, the royal ballet of Cambodia, wood-carving traditions in Madagascar, epic storytelling in Kyrgyzstan and sand drawings in Vanuatu, which developed as a means of communication among the members of some 80 different South Pacific language groups. In the Americas, they include the heritage of the former runaway slaves known as Maroons in Moore Town, Jamaica, and the Day of the Dead commemorations in Mexico.
European examples include the carnival of Binche, in Belgium, one of Europe’s oldest surviving street carnivals, and the Slovácko verbun˘k, an improvised dance in the Czech Republic, whose historical origins lie in the recruitment of dancers and soldiers for the military during the 18th century.
A spokesman for UNESCO said the list was designed ‘to give more visibility to the world’s living heritage’ and would contribute to raising awareness of its importance.
In a further parallel with the original World Heritage list, UNESCO now plans to draw up a list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.
March 2009
Examples of intangible heritage on the initial list include mask dances from Bhutan, the royal ballet of Cambodia, wood-carving traditions in Madagascar, epic storytelling in Kyrgyzstan and sand drawings in Vanuatu, which developed as a means of communication among the members of some 80 different South Pacific language groups. In the Americas, they include the heritage of the former runaway slaves known as Maroons in Moore Town, Jamaica, and the Day of the Dead commemorations in Mexico.
European examples include the carnival of Binche, in Belgium, one of Europe’s oldest surviving street carnivals, and the Slovácko verbun˘k, an improvised dance in the Czech Republic, whose historical origins lie in the recruitment of dancers and soldiers for the military during the 18th century.
A spokesman for UNESCO said the list was designed ‘to give more visibility to the world’s living heritage’ and would contribute to raising awareness of its importance.
In a further parallel with the original World Heritage list, UNESCO now plans to draw up a list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.
MARK ROWE
March 2009
|
FIND OUT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ON TWITTER:
| |
 |
