Intergovernmental Committee for the Safekeeping of the Intangible Cultural Heritage meets in Nairobi

Mozambique's Chopi Timbila Inscribed in 2008 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (originally proclaimed in 2005) © Commission National de la République de Mozambique auprès de l’UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization held its 5th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Nairobi, Kenya this month.

In her opening address, UNESCO’s Director General, Irina Bokova described the Convention as “one of the most innovative instruments that we have developed to address contemporary challenges.

Adopted in 2003 and ratified by 132 States, this Convention recommends the protection of elements such as oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe and know-how related to traditional handicrafts. It is considered that they constitute a living heritage, which, when transmitted from generation to generation, give communities and groups a feeling of identity and continuity that is considered essential for the respect of cultural diversity and human creativity

The Convention has been ratified by 132 States and 181 elements are currently inscribed on its lists.

This years meeting was attended by some 400 representatives of States Parties to the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage and of civil society as well as observers are attending the annual event, held for the first time in Sub-Saharan Africa.

During the five-day meeting, the Committee examined 4 elements presented for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and 47 elements, from 29 states, for the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

For details of sites inscribed on the lists see UNESCOs Intangible Heritage website.

Various publications relating to these lists and to good practice in the preservation oif intangible heritage can be downloaded from the website.

See UNESCO Media Release

Non-Governmental organisations issued a Common Statement of NGOs to State Parties to the 2003 UNESCO Convention expressing their commitment to work with them to implment the Convention.  See document attached.

It uis unfortunate that at this, the first meeting of the Committee in Africa, no African sites were added to the list!

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