Exploring the local traditions of a destination can offer travelers incredibly gratifying and captivating experiences. While many customs are warmly embraced by visitors, it’s crucial to recognize and protect those that are at risk.
In the current year, 70 countries submitted nominations for consideration by the Unesco committee, resulting in over 50 traditions being accepted into the organization’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Among these additions, six are identified as requiring urgent safeguarding. Notable examples include the practice of olive cultivation in Türkiye and Mek Mulung, a traditional Malaysian performance incorporating dance, song, and acting.
Additionally, certain traditions, such as opera singing in Italy and bolero in Cuba and Mexico, have been included in the Representative List, acknowledging their significance. The safeguarding practices of the Sea Turtle Festival in Panama received commendation, while traditional leadership and local communities in Zimbabwe were earmarked for international assistance.
This recognition by Unesco underscores the importance of preserving and protecting diverse cultural practices around the world, ensuring their continued existence for future generations to appreciate and cherish.
Here is the comprehensive list of recent additions to the Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage list:
- Traditional Syrian glassblowing, Syrian Arab Republic
- Traditional olive cultivation, Türkiye
- Xeedho, Djibouti
- Mek Mulung, Malaysia
- Ingoma Ya Mapiko, Mozambique
- Ancestral and traditional techniques for the elaboration of the ‘Poncho Para’i de 60 Listas’, Paraguay
- Rotterdam Summer Carnival, Netherlands
- Production of the atlas and adras fabrics, Tajikistan
- Sango Festival, Oyo, Nigeria
- Dabkeh, Palestine
- Aklan piña handloom weaving, Philippines
- Polonaise, Poland
- Procession and celebrations of Prophet Mohammed’s birthday, Sudan
- Alpine pasture season, Switzerland
- Art of Akhal-Teke horse breeding and decoration, Turkmenistan
- Harees dish, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates
- Transhumance, Albania, Andorra, Austria, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Romania, and Spain
- Sona, Angola
- Tradition of blacksmithing in Gyumri, Armenia
- Traditional irrigation, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland
- Junkanoo, Bahamas
- Bolero, Cuba and Mexico
- Shuwalid festival, Ethiopia
- Traditional craft skills and arts of Al-Mudhif building, Iraq
- Arts, skills, and practices associated with engraving on metals (gold, silver, and copper), Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen
- Al-Man’ouché, Lebanon
- Sodai straw garden making, Lithuania
- Hiragasy, Madagascar
- Maltese Village Festa, Malta
- Mahadra, Mauritania
- Songkran, Thailand
- Art of illumination: Təzhib/Tazhib/Zarhalkori/Tezhip/Naqqoshlik, Azerbaijan, Iran, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Uzbekistan
- Iftar/Eftari/Iftar/Iftor and its socio-cultural traditions, Azerbaijan, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Türkiye, Uzbekistan
- Craftsmanship and performing art of balaban/mey, Azerbaijan, Türkiye
- Craftsmanship of mother of pearl inlay, Azerbaijan, Türkiye
- Rickshaws and rickshaw painting in Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Nguon, Cameroon
- Traditional skills of loincloth weaving, Côte d’Ivoire
- Garba of Gujarat, India
- Jamu wellness culture, Indonesia
- Sadeh/Sada celebration, Iran and Tajikistan
- Elechek, Kyrgyz female headwear: traditional knowledge and rituals, Kyrgyzstan
- Traditional craft of Naga motif weaving in Lao communities, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
- Traditional wooden boatbuilding in Carriacou and Petite Martinique, Grenada
- Handmade glass production, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Spain
- The practice of opera singing, Italy
- Practices and meanings associated with the preparation and consumption of ceviche, Peru
- Ceramic arts, Uzbekistan
- Ch’utillos, Bolivia
- Malhun, Morocco
- Midwifery, Colombia, Cyprus, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Nigeria, Slovenia, and Togo
- Safeguarding foster care heritage in the merciful city of Geel, Belgium
- Nyckelharpa network, Sweden
- ICH safeguarding practices program for the cultural and ecologic Sea Turtle Festival of Armila, Panama
- Program for the safeguarding of the Bandos and Parrandas of the Holy Innocents of Caucagua, Venezuela
- Traditional leadership and local communities, Zimbabwe
To gain a comprehensive understanding of each of these noteworthy traditional practices recently added to the Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage list, you are encouraged to explore detailed information available on the official Unesco website. The website provides a wealth of knowledge, offering insights into the cultural significance, historical background, and unique characteristics of each tradition. Delve into the rich tapestry of diverse cultural practices from around the world and appreciate the efforts made to recognize, preserve, and celebrate these invaluable aspects of human heritage. Visit the Unesco website to embark on a virtual journey that unveils the intricacies and beauty of these cultural treasures.
