Through its lists, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) works with governments and communities to promote these traditions, strengthen their transmission and mobilize support to ensure their survival, particularly when they are threatened by social, economic or environmental changes.
Traditions that urgently need to be safeguarded
This year, several items were added to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, which recognizes practices that face a serious risk of disappearance.
Boreendo, Bhorindo: Dying Ancient Folk Musical Instrument, Its Melodies, Knowledge and Skills in Pakistan
In VietnamĐông Hồ’s popular woodblock printing art, known for its colorful hand-printed scenes of daily life, history and worship, was recognized for its entirely manual process using carved wood blocks, natural pigments and special paper coated with scallop powder. Once widespread, the tradition is now in decline.
The Mwazindika spiritual dance of the Daida community in Kenya He was also registered. The practice combines dance, ritual, music and storytelling to promote healing, protection and spiritual balance during rites of passage, harvests and times of crisis.
Other recently safeguarded traditions include PakistanThe Boreendo clay musical instrument, Panamaconstruction techniques for mud houses in quincha, Paraguay‘s Ñai’ũpo ceramic crafts, the Philippines‘Labour-intensive Asin Tibuok artisanal sea salt, Portugalthe moliceiro wooden boats, the Kobyz string instrument of Uzbekistan, AlbaniaThe epic song of Lahuta, cultural traditions of Landships in Barbadosand the Negliubka textile tradition of Belarus.
Living heritage celebrated around the world
UNESCO also added new elements to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which highlights traditions that embody cultural diversity and human creativity.
Construction processes of the quincha house and the embarra/embarra joint in Panama
Among the inscriptions is the Bisht, a male ceremonial garment worn in several Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar, Iraq, Jordan and the United Arab Emiratessymbolizing respect and social position during major life events.
In VenezuelaJoropo, a lively tradition combining music, poetry and dance shaped by indigenous, African and European influences, was recognized for its central role in festivals and community life.
boliviaFestivity of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Sucre, Argentinaenergetic quartet of dance music genre, with the Tangail sari woven BangladeshBehzad style miniature art associated with Afghanistan, Belgian rod puppet theater, BelizeThe Christmas celebrations of Bram and Sambai, Bulgarian bagpipe traditions and the Zaffa wedding procession in parts of Africa and the Middle East They were also added.
The practice of making Asin Tibuok, the artisanal sea salt of the Boholano people of the island of Bohol, Philippines