Sake brewing and other national treasures make it to UNESCO’s latest heritage list
the UNESCO The committee for the protection of the so-called Intangible Cultural Heritage is meeting in Asunción, Republic of Paraguay, until Saturday, to add new entries to the list of the United Nations cultural agency. list of world treasures.
With over 700 engravings to date, convention on the protection of intangible cultural heritage aims to raise awareness at local, national and international levels.
Maintain cultural diversity
The session in Asunción – the commission’s latest annual meeting – plays an important role in maintaining cultural diversity in the face of the challenges of globalization. Being named among a wider list of nominees comes with a promise of international backing and support.
In recent decades, UNESCO has played a pivotal role in reshaping the concept of cultural heritage. In addition to monuments and artifacts, the term now includes traditions, oral expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events as well as knowledge and skills related to traditional crafts.
“The Convention has reinvented the very concept of heritage – to the point where we can no longer separate the tangible from the intangible, places from practices.”, said Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO.
“It is our great responsibility to promote this legacywhich – far from being merely folklore, not frozen in time and far removed from today’s reality – is very much alive and necessary.
Making sake using koji molds in Japan
Considered a sacred gift, the alcoholic beverage sake, made from grains and water, is indispensable at festivals, weddings, rites of passage and other social and cultural occasions in Japan. Deeply rooted in Japanese culture, this drink is made by craftsmen who use koji molds to convert the starch in the ingredients into sugar. They monitor the process to ensure mold grows in optimal conditions, adjusting temperature and humidity as necessary.
Intore, Rwanda
A dance performed by a theater troupe in Rwanda, Intore is the center of community events and festivals, including harvest festivals and entertaining distinguished guests. Backed by songs and poems of victory, the dancers were arranged in rows that symbolized the ranks of warriors on the battlefield.
Intore, a Rwandan dance.
Through their movements, they mimicked a battle with an invisible enemy, jumping and holding spears and shields to the beat of traditional drums and horns, to demonstrate strength.
Taif Rose, Saudi Arabia
In the Taif region of Saudi Arabia, rose cultivation is an integral part of social and religious ceremonies, and is an important source of income.
A local girl from Taif, Saudi Arabia, wearing traditional regional clothing.
During the harvest season that begins in March, farmers and their families pick roses early in the morning and transport them to local markets for sale or to their homes for distillation.
The community uses rose water and essential oils in beauty products, traditional medicine, food and beverages.
Aleppo Ghar soap craft, Syria
In the Syrian Arab Republic, Aleppo ghar soap is made using locally produced olive and laurel (ghar) oils.
The making of Syrian Aleppo ghar soap is based on traditional knowledge and skills.
In an intergenerational collaborative process, ingredients are selected, cooked, then poured onto the floors of traditional soap factories.
After the mixture cooled, the craftsmen wore large wooden shoes to cut the slab into cubes, using their body weight and a rake. The blocks are then hand-stamped with the family name and stacked to dry.
Thai Tomyum Kung Soup
Tomyum Kung is a traditional shrimp soup in Thailand. Shrimp (or prawns) are boiled with herbs and seasoned with local spices. The soup has a distinctive aroma, vibrant color and combines many tastes, including sweet, sour, salty, spicy, creamy and slightly bitter.
This dish is said to boost energy and health, especially during the monsoon season. It represents the culinary wisdom of the riverside Buddhist communities of Thailand’s Central Plains and their traditional knowledge of the environment and medicinal herbs.
The art of egg decoration
Pysanka, Ukrainian tradition and art of egg decoration.
Pysanka involves applying traditional patterns and symbols to the egg using wax in Ukraine and Estonia.
The egg is then dipped in dye, covering all but the waxed areas. This process is repeated to achieve the desired pattern and color.
Although it is now associated with Easter, this tradition still holds significance for the Ukrainian community regardless of religion.
Henna: ritual, aesthetics and social practice
Applying henna during Eid celebrations, United Arab Emirates.
Considered sacred by communities in North Africa and the Middle East, Henna leaves are harvested twice a year to create a paste.
Henna powder is often used by women for makeup. It is a symbol of joy and is used in everyday life as well as on festive occasions such as birthdays and weddings. Its use is tied to centuries-old social norms and traditions.
Equestrian art in Portugal
Characterized by the position of the rider in the saddle, as well as the traditional attire and harness used, the art of horsemanship in Portugal is based on a sense of harmony and a deep connection between the rider and horse, for the animal and its health.
Training requires a horse that is flexible and easy to manage, such as the thoroughbred Lusitano. As a source of collective identity, this custom finds expression in pilgrimages, annual fairs, and other social events.
Female horse riders in Golegã dressed in Portuguese style.
Additional support
This week, two traditions were also added to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Protection. The Wosana ceremony is performed by the Bakalanga community in the North Eastern and Central districts of Botswana as well as the Reog Ponorogo performing art in Indonesia.
Performing arts are a centuries-old theatrical dance traditionally performed on a variety of occasions, including ceremonies to avert disasters. Dancers dressed as kings and warriors tell the story of the Bantarangin Kingdom and its king.
Visit the UNESCO website to learn more about intangible heritage by exploring the nearly 700 elements inscribed on the 2003 Convention List through the interactive agency multimedia portal.
