Intangible cultural heritage

Definition

Intangible cultural heritage refers to the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills that communities recognize as part of their cultural heritage. This includes traditions such as oral history, performing arts, rituals, and social practices that are passed down through generations, emphasizing the importance of cultural identity and community cohesion.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Intangible cultural heritage is recognized by UNESCO as vital for promoting cultural diversity and fostering social cohesion in an increasingly globalized world.
2. The 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage aims to protect and promote various forms of cultural expressions around the world.
3. Intangible cultural heritage plays a crucial role in shaping community identities, allowing individuals to connect with their past and each other.
4. Unlike tangible heritage like monuments or artifacts, intangible cultural heritage is dynamic and evolves over time as communities adapt their traditions.
5. Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage often involves documentation, transmission of knowledge, and community involvement to ensure its survival for future generations.

Review Questions

• How does intangible cultural heritage contribute to a community's identity?
  • Intangible cultural heritage contributes significantly to a community's identity by embodying its values, beliefs, and historical narratives. Through traditions such as oral storytelling, music, and rituals, individuals connect with their past and reinforce their social bonds. This shared cultural experience fosters a sense of belonging and continuity within the community, allowing members to express their unique identity while also adapting to contemporary challenges.
• Discuss the role of UNESCO in the preservation of intangible cultural heritage on a global scale.
  • UNESCO plays a pivotal role in the preservation of intangible cultural heritage through its conventions and programs aimed at promoting awareness and safeguarding practices worldwide. By recognizing various forms of intangible heritage as important cultural assets, UNESCO encourages countries to take proactive measures in documenting, protecting, and revitalizing these traditions. Their initiatives help foster international cooperation among nations in efforts to preserve unique cultural expressions that may be at risk due to globalization or modernization.
• Evaluate the challenges faced in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in modern society.
  • Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage faces numerous challenges in modern society, including the pressures of globalization that often lead to the dilution or loss of traditional practices. Urbanization can shift focus away from rural traditions as younger generations migrate towards cities for better opportunities. Additionally, commercialization may exploit cultural expressions for profit without respecting their original meaning or significance. These factors necessitate a concerted effort from communities, governments, and organizations like UNESCO to create effective strategies that ensure the vitality and relevance of intangible cultural heritage for future generations.

Related terms

Cultural Heritage: Cultural heritage encompasses both tangible and intangible aspects of culture, including historical buildings, artifacts, and traditional practices that contribute to a group's identity.

UNESCO:

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization that promotes global awareness and safeguarding of cultural heritage, including intangible cultural heritage.

Folklore: The traditional beliefs, customs, stories, songs, and practices that are characteristic of a particular community or group, often passed down orally.