ALL
shared heritage
ICH Elements 9
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Kushtdepdi rite of singing and dancing
Kushtdepdi rite of singing and dancing is a performing art combining the genres of creative poetizing focused on good feelings and wishes, its singing with vocal improvisation and dancing with movements of hands, gestures and footsteps in accordance with the tune of the song. The element serves as a tool and a medium for conveying good wishes for happiness, mutual respect, solidarity, social cohesion to the wide public and youth. The element is considered as an inseparable part of child birth ceremonies, wedding ceremonies and national celebrations. Its introductory part starts with singing poetic words of best wishes for well-being, happiness and sermon for the youth to keep close ties with elders that is performed by a seated group of respected women dressed in traditional costumes. Its next stage continues with inviting performers to start the rite and then the performance is led by singing of a couple of poetry singers (traditionally a woman and a man) with dances to the accompaniment of songs in a semi-closed or closed circles. Dancing movements start with three steps on right foot and then simultaneously tramping and clapping which are intended to drive maleficence and misfortune away from the future life. The element is performed at the end of events concluding in a positive note as a prayer to the nature for fertility, procreation, solidarity and peace.
Turkmenistan 2017 -
Flatbread making and sharing culture: Lavash, Katyrma, Jupka, Yufka
The culture of flatbread making and sharing, represented with the names Lavash-Katyrma-Jupka-Yufka, is a set of traditional knowledge, views, skills and rituals related to preparation, baking, storing, using and sharing of traditional thin bread that performs specific cultural and social functions within the related communities in Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey and is transmitted from generations to generations. Flatbread tradition is a symbol of shared cultural identity and serves expression of mutual respect among communities. The five countries share a number of common features, skills and knowledge related to preparation and use of the flatbread. Tradition bearers usually prepare the flatbread from unleavened or leavened dough based on flour, salt and water, while also adding sometimes milk, butter, sesame and poppy seeds. Communities use different types of crops to prepare the dough, such as wheat and rye. The dough is rolled by hand or using a dough roller into round or oval shape. In Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey and some communities of Kyrgyzstan, flatbread is baked in earthen or stone ovens called “tandyr” or “tanūr” buried into the ground. Some communities in Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkey bake the flatbread (yufka or lavash) on a metal plate known as “sac” (“saj” or “sāj”) over the fire. Communities in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan bake the flatbread by laying out rolled dough in big cauldrons (‘kazan’) heated on fire. As a result of this baking style, practitioners manage to maintain nutritious qualities of the flatbreads and store them for several months without refrigerator. Various methods, techniques, instruments and substances are used by flatbread-preparing practitioners. The preparation of flatbread involves traditional practices based on collective labour and sharing within family and neighbourhood. As expression of social solidarity in rural areas, families prepare and bake flatbread together with their neighbours, especially as a preparation for winter. The flatbread is baked both at homes by family members and flatbread bakers, who learn the practice through a master-apprentice relationship. The flatbread preparation bears a great variety of social and cultural functions for its communities in terms of its usage at special occasions and its relation to transition between seasons. Communities of five countries consider flatbread preparation places sacred. In Kazakhstan, communities believe preparing flatbread at funerals helps the deceased get protection from the burning Sun, while waiting for decision of the God. To wish prosperity and wealth to newly-married couple, in Azerbaijani and Iranian weddings the flatbread lavash is often put on shoulders of the bride, while in Turkish weddings dried flatbread yufka is crumbled over the head of the bride. In Kyrgyzstan, tradition bearers believe that flatbread helps sick people. In some religious ceremonies and traditional weddings in Iran flatbread is served as a component of the sacred offering. During the preparation of flatbread, it is shared with all passers-by as a sign of hospitality. Flatbread culture is expression of belonging to common cultural roots. It reinforces cultural links and serves as marker of hospitality, conviviality and friendliness within the societies of five countries.
Azerbaijan,Iran,Kyrgyzstan,Kazakhstan,Turkey 2016 -
Ondol (Underfloor Heating)
Ondol, literally "warm stones," refers to an underfloor heating system unique to Korea. It has its roots in a primitive form of heating based on a hearth and flues dating back to the Bronze Age and the Proto-Three Kingdoms period. Since early examples of ondol can be found across the Korean Peninsula at sites dating to between the third century BCE and the first century CE, it is estimated that the practice of making and using underfloor heating facilities has been transmitted on the Korean Peninsula for more than 2,000 years. Unlike Western-style indoor fireplaces, the ondol system does not directly emit exhaust through the chimney. The smoke from a firepit first flows through flues made underneath the floor of a room, keeping the room warm for long periods without producing indoor smoke. As the quintessential element of traditional Korean housing culture, the ondol system informs on how Koreans have traditionally heated their houses. It illustrates their knowledge and use of the natural environment and their everyday lives. Ondol is also an important element in house building, interior design, and furniture design. Ondol rooms have long been established as one of the most important elements in Korean popular culture. While the unheated wooden-floored spaces within a traditional Korean house is an architectural response to the summer heat, the ondol rooms are preparations for harsh winter weather. Ondol is a unique Korean housing technology clearly distinguished from the underfloor heating systems found in China and Manchuria. Despite great advancements in heating technology and recent radical changes in housing and lifestyles, underfloor heating continues to thrive the present. Ondol has been designated as National Intangible Cultural Heritage for its sociocultural value as an indispensable element of Korean housing culture and popular culture, and also for its evidential significance to the creativity and wisdom Korean people exerted in their efforts to adapt to the local climate. * As the ondol system is part of Korean housing customs long shared widely across the nation, no particular holders or holder groups have been recognized for this element.
South Korea -
Suri Jagek (observing the sun), traditional meteorological and astronomical practice based on the observation of the sun, moon and stars in reference to the local topography
Suri Jagek, literally translated to ‘observing the Sun’ is the traditional Kalasha meteorological and astronomical knowledge system and practice based on the observation of the Sun, Moon, Stars and Shadows with respect to the local topography. The practice of Suri Jagek demonstrates the relationship of the Kalasha people with their surroundings and the capacity of their immediate geographical context to sustain their way of life. Suri Jagek is a knowledge system which connects a long history of “events” to topographical locations. The system is a complex structure of empirically observed accumulated knowledge and is repeatedly referenced to allow the Kalasha people to predict the appropriate time for the sowing of seed, animal husbandry and natural calamities. It is also used to govern the Kalasha calendar by determining dates of important social events, festivals, feasts and religious ceremonies. It draws greatly from the rich cultural heritage and social practices of the people, therefore functioning in the capacity of a repository of the history of the people and the region at large. Visual cues existing within the periphery of the topography are used to mark the specific positions of the rising and setting Sun, and hence the collective markings are used to record the positions of the Sun throughout the year. Observatories called ‘Suri Jagaekein’, are chosen in each village to observe the rising Sun, and a separate location is assigned to observe its setting. The specific positions on which the sun casts its shadows are also marked in some people’s houses on walls or poles etc. Individual localities have their own specific knowledge, generated using the common processes of marking the positions of the Sun. Qazis, who are authorities on matters pertaining to religion, history and indigenous models of conflict resolution, farmers, some shepherds and a few village elders are the knowledge bearers of Suri Jagek and the observations at the Suri Jagaekein made by various community members are shared in communal gatherings. A general consensus is reached in a Jirga (communal forum); however, presently this is only practiced in the Rukmu valley on the 16th of December. Knowledge related to the constellations of stars, meanings of various types of rainbows and the study of clouds as well as shadows are all in the wider ambit of Suri Jagaek. The Libra constellation known as Tarazu is considered particularly important during the Spring period coinciding with the month of Amaal Mastruk. When the constellation is observed in its clarity during the month, it is indicative of the ground softening the next morning; a time considered vital for the planting of crops.
Pakistan 2018
ICH Stakeholders 2
ICH Materials 455
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Ginani - Crop harvesting festival preparations by Burusho of Hunza
I come from a small village called Danyore. It lies across the river Gilgit in the outskirts of the regional Capital of Gilgit-Baltistan. My forefathers migrated to Danyor from Ali Abad Hunza and we are ethnically known as Burusho of Hunza.\nI feel very happy to share some aspects of our intangible heritage through photos I took on different occasions. I do not have all the photos with me as I live in Islamabad these days because I work at Lok Virsa, which works towards preservation, documentation and promotion of both tangible and intangible heritage of Pakistan.\nI am very glad I am sharing whatever photo collection I have. I will share photo about a spring festival we celebrate in Hunza and birth rituals.\nHunza is a mountainous valley located in Gilgit Baltistan region of Pakistan. It is situated in extreme Northern part of Pakistan that borders China.\nPhotos shared are showing festival of Ginani and facial care give to new born.\nGinani is annual crop harvesting festival celebrated in valleys of Hunza and Nagar. General date being 21 June, that coincides with the longest day of the year.\nBaby's facial hair are removed with wheat dough and later a mask of a stone powder made with mothers milk is applied on baby's face. It is believed babies grow to have a glowing skin and less facial hair. Facial hair are usually removed between second week of birth until first few months.
Pakistan -
Ginani - Crop harvesting festival preparations by Burusho of Hunza
I come from a small village called Danyore. It lies across the river Gilgit in the outskirts of the regional Capital of Gilgit-Baltistan. My forefathers migrated to Danyor from Ali Abad Hunza and we are ethnically known as Burusho of Hunza.\nI feel very happy to share some aspects of our intangible heritage through photos I took on different occasions. I do not have all the photos with me as I live in Islamabad these days because I work at Lok Virsa, which works towards preservation, documentation and promotion of both tangible and intangible heritage of Pakistan.\nI am very glad I am sharing whatever photo collection I have. I will share photo about a spring festival we celebrate in Hunza and birth rituals.\nHunza is a mountainous valley located in Gilgit Baltistan region of Pakistan. It is situated in extreme Northern part of Pakistan that borders China.\nPhotos shared are showing festival of Ginani and facial care give to new born.\nGinani is annual crop harvesting festival celebrated in valleys of Hunza and Nagar. General date being 21 June, that coincides with the longest day of the year.\nBaby's facial hair are removed with wheat dough and later a mask of a stone powder made with mothers milk is applied on baby's face. It is believed babies grow to have a glowing skin and less facial hair. Facial hair are usually removed between second week of birth until first few months.
Pakistan
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Session 2) Special Lecture: Future of Humanity, Ecological Tum, and the Role of Intangible Cultural Heritage
Discussing the importance of the ecological turn, rising to prominence in the post-corona discourse. Emphasizing the importance of nature as well as co-existence of humanity and other forms of life in nature. Presenting a social ecology perspective on the direction for human intangible cultural heritage which has a long-shared history with nature.
South Korea 2020-09-24 -
O le Va‘a Tā Palolo – The Palolo Fishing Canoe
Building a canoe for the palolo rise, an event that occurs twice in a year, is rarely described and documented in moving and still images. With accompanying text capturing knowledge shared by a Master Craftsman, Lesā Motusaga of Sa‘anapu village in Samoa, Galumalemana Steve Percival provides insights into the Intangible Cultural Heritage associated with the building of a paopao, dugout canoe, for a rich fishing tradition.
South Korea 2020-10-30
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2019 Asia Pacific Youth Intangible Heritage Storytelling Contest
As a UNESCO category 2 center, ICHCAP organized the youth ICH storytelling contest with the aim to support ICH safeguarding activities of young practitioners. Youth practitioners play an essential role, as ICH relies on direct transmission among community members. Their activities and involvement will hopefully contribute to raising awareness of ICH worth protecting.\n\nThis exhibition displays the twenty-nine winning works of the contest organized by ICHCAP. The winners came from ten countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including India, Vietnam, Nepal, China, and Bangladesh. The contest was held in two categories (Young Practitioners and General Youth) for Asia-Pacific youth aged between 18 and 35. The winners shared their own stories as young practitioners in the form of an interview or essay or told stories about ICH they met in their everyday lives or on their travels. The entries were submitted in the form of photo essays or videos, and the descriptions are available both in Korean and English. Videos are provided with English subtitles.\n\nThis online exhibition covers various ICH elements, including traditional dance, crafts, art, music, martial arts, medical practices, and native languages. And instead of simply explaining such heritage, the youth reflected their insights, voices and passion in their stories about the history and culture of the people and communities they met and the safeguarding and transmission of ICH.\n\nMoushumi Choudhury, the Grand Prize winner in the Young Practitioners category, shared her story of becoming the first female Chau dancer by breaking the glass ceiling in the predominantly male dance genre in India. Saurabh Narang, the Excellence Prize winner in the General Youth category, was fascinated by the Siddis in India, which is an ethnic group of African origin, after he first heard of their existence from a man he came across while travelling. Maya Rai (Nepal), who learned about crafts and education from her two mothers, is now working at the Nepal Knotcraft Centre. Tiancheng Xu (China), who learned acupuncture from his father who was an acupuncturist, is currently studying how to introduce robotics and digital technology to acupuncture at university. Their stories will help the viewers have bright expectations about the roles and possibilities of the future generation for ICH safeguarding and sustainable development.\n
Bangladesh,China,Indonesia,India,South Korea,Myanmar ,Nepal,Philippines,Viet Nam 2019 -
2020 ICH NGO Conference : ICH and Resilience in Crisis
On 12 and 13 November 2020, ICHCAP and the ICH NGO Forum virtually held the 2020 ICH NGO Conference entitled “ICH and Resilience in Crisis.” The fifteen participants, including eleven selected presenters from ten countries around the world, discussed various cases and activities of each country applied under the Corona-era, and proposed solidarity for the resilience of ICH for a ‘New Normal.’\n\nSession 1: In the Vortex: COVID-19 Era, Roles of NGOs to Safeguard ICH\n\nSpecial Lecture 1: 'Resilience System Analysis' by Roberto Martinez Yllescas, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Mexico\n1. 'Uncovering the veil of immaterial cultural heritage towards and autonomous management of well-being as well as cultural and territorial preservation' by Carolina Bermúdez, Fundación Etnollano\n2. 'Holistic Development Model of Community-Based Intangible Cultural Heritage of Yuen Long District in Hong Kong of China' by Kai-kwong Choi, Life Encouraging Fund \n3. 'Indigenous Knowledge System as a vector in combating COVID-19' by Allington Ndlovu, Amagugu International Heritage Centre\n4. 'Enlivening Dyeing Tradition and ICH: The initiative of ARHI in North East of India' by Dibya Jyoti Borah, President, ARHI\n\nSession 2: Homo Ludens vs. Home Ludens: Changed Features COVID-19 Brought\n\n1. 'The Popular Reaction to COVID-19 from the Intangible Cultural Heritage among Member Cities of the ICCN' by Julio Nacher, ICCN Secretariat, Algemesi, Spain\n2. 'Innovation for Arts and Cultural Education Amid a Pandemic' by Jeff M. Poulin, Creative Generation\n3. 'Promoting Heritage Education through Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Kalasha Valleys of Pakistan' by Ghiasuddin Pir & Meeza Ubaid, THAAP\n4. 'Shifting to Online Activities: Digital Divide among the NGOs and ICH Communities in Korea' by Hanhee Hahm CICS\n\nSession 3: Consilience: Prototype vs. Archetype for Educational Source\n\nSpecial Lecture 2: 'Geographical imbalance: the challenge of getting a more balanced representation of accredited non-governmental organizations under the 2003 Convention' by Matti Hakamäki, Finnish Folk Music Institute\n1. 'Crafting a Post Covid-19 World: Building Greater Resilience in the Crafts Sector through Strengthening Ties with its Community’s Cultural System' by Joseph Lo, World Crafts Council International\n2. 'Arts and Influence: Untangling Corporate Engagement in the Cultural Sector' by Nicholas Pozek, Asian Legal Programs, Columbia University\n3. 'ICH in the South-Western Alps: Empowering Communities through Youth Education on Nature and Cultural Practices' by Alessio Re & Giulia Avanza, Santagata Foundation for the Economy of Culture\n\n
South Korea 2020
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Intangible Cultural Heritage of Kyrgyzstan
ICHCAP published Intangible Cultural Heritage of Kyrgyzstan as part of its ICH and Society series. The newest volume introduces various intangible heritage elements of Kyrgyzstan. It is the eighth book in the series and is the result of a two-year joint project between ICHCAP and the National Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic for UNESCO from 2018 to 2019 to encourage the awareness of Kyrgyzstan’s intangible heritage.\n\nKyrgyzstan’s intangible heritage once faced a cultural disruption crisis during the Soviet system. However, consciousness of the crisis and many efforts to safeguarding ICH in Kyrgyzstan has helped keep many elements alive.\n\nThis book consists of six themes, including traditional crafts, rituals, oral traditions and traditional foods and introduces their cultural roots and identity by explaining around a hundred Kyrgyz ICH elements such as horse breeding, pasture management, rites of passage.
Kyrgyzstan 2019 -
ICH Courier Vol.34 Wandering Minstrels and Songs of Blessing
ICH Courier is the quarterly magazine on ICH in the Asia-Pacific region issued by ICHCAP since 2009. Every issue has its own theme under the title of the Windows to ICH, and the theme of the Vol 34 is 'Wandering Minstrels and Songs of Blessing.'
South Korea 2018
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INSTITUTE OF ITAUKEI LANGUAGE AND CULTURE IN FIJI: ITAUKEI COSMOLOGYICH is an integral part of the indigenous population of Fiji known as the iTaukei. Borne of a rich oral tradition that spanned migration from Southeast Asia into the Pacific from 3,500 B.C., the iTaukei people of Fiji share many similarities with their island neighbors of Melanesia and Polynesia. ICH has manifested itself in many elements—from oral traditions, social practices, knowledge of nature, traditional craftsmanship, and performing arts. These elements exist in a rich interplay of reciprocal social systems in which the pinnacle is the chief, the physical embodiment of the ancestral spirits. Practice of the various elements legitimizes and enforces the status quo in traditional iTaukei life.Year2011NationSouth Korea
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Promoting Herbal Medicine in Uganda: Traditional Health Practitioners and Government Working TogetherMore than 60% of Uganda’s population depends on traditional medi-cine because it is accessible, affordable and culturally familiar. With an estimated traditional health practitioner for every 200-400 Ugandans (compared to 1 western-trained doctor per 10,000) , herbal medicine has long been used to manage a range of common conditions, including malaria, digestive and respiratory problems, toothaches, skin diseases, and childbirth complications. This document examines the relationship between Uganda’s Ministry of Health and a traditional herbalist, in relation to its strengths, challenges and the implications for future policy. The Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda worked with the Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Laboratory (NRCL) and a herbalist, Hajji Zakariya Nyanzi, to prepare this paper. NCRL identified Hajji Nyanzi, a farmer and traditional health prac-titioner in Mubende district, as exemplary because of his experience, willingness to share information and his long standing collaboration with NCRL, the AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) and the Traditional and Modern Health Practitioners Together against AIDS and other dis-eases (THETA).Year2019NationSouth Korea