What is UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage site?
According to the definition provided by UNESCO, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) is made up of oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and traditional craftsmanship knowledge and techniques.
It is noteworthy that the cultural heritage of a nation encompasses the living intangible expressions that we have inherited from our ancestors. Thus, it isn’t only the monuments that are categorised as a ‘heritage’.
What importance do these ICH have?
In the background of globalisation, these cultural heritage sites allow cultural diversity to be maintained via promotion of respect towards other ways of life.
Keeping this in mind, in 2003, UNESCO passed the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The convention entered into force in 2006.
The ICH list is published by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Its members are elected by the state parties meeting in the United Nations General Assembly.
Note: “Kumbh Mela” was the latest addition to the list. Kumbh Mela was inscribed on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the 12th session held at Jeju, South Korea.