Intangible heritage

Definition

Intangible heritage refers to the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills that communities recognize as part of their cultural heritage. Unlike tangible heritage, which includes physical artifacts and monuments, intangible heritage emphasizes the living cultural traditions and practices that are passed down through generations, playing a critical role in shaping community identity and continuity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Intangible heritage is recognized by UNESCO as a crucial component of cultural diversity and is protected under the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
2. Examples of intangible heritage include traditional music, dance, festivals, crafts, rituals, and the knowledge of local customs and languages.
3. The preservation of intangible heritage involves documenting practices and ensuring that they are actively transmitted to future generations within communities.
4. Intangible heritage plays an essential role in fostering social cohesion and cultural continuity among communities, allowing them to express their identity in a changing world.
5. The process of recognizing and safeguarding intangible heritage often involves collaboration between local communities, governments, and international organizations.

Review Questions

• How does intangible heritage contribute to the identity of a community?
  • Intangible heritage significantly contributes to the identity of a community by embodying its traditions, values, and practices that define who they are. These living cultural expressions provide a sense of belonging and continuity as they are passed down through generations. When communities actively engage in maintaining their intangible heritage, they strengthen their cultural identity and foster resilience against external influences.
• Discuss the importance of safeguarding intangible heritage in the context of globalization.
  • Safeguarding intangible heritage has become increasingly important in the context of globalization because it helps protect unique cultural identities from being homogenized or overshadowed by dominant global cultures. As global influences permeate local customs and practices, preserving intangible heritage allows communities to maintain their distinctiveness and foster pride in their cultural expressions. This process can empower communities by recognizing their unique contributions to the world’s cultural diversity.
• Evaluate the challenges faced in preserving intangible heritage and suggest strategies for effective safeguarding.
  • Preserving intangible heritage presents several challenges, including the loss of traditional practices due to modernization, lack of documentation, and diminishing community engagement. To effectively safeguard these elements, it is crucial to develop strategies that involve local communities in the documentation process and create educational programs that encourage participation in traditional practices. Additionally, building partnerships with governments and NGOs can help secure funding and resources necessary for preservation efforts while raising awareness about the importance of intangible heritage in cultural sustainability.

Related terms

Cultural Heritage: Cultural heritage encompasses both tangible and intangible aspects of culture, including historical sites, artifacts, traditions, and practices that communities value and wish to preserve.

Oral Traditions: Oral traditions are stories, myths, legends, and knowledge passed down through spoken word rather than written text, often forming a crucial part of a community's intangible heritage.

Cultural Identity: Cultural identity refers to the sense of belonging to a particular culture or community, shaped by shared practices, beliefs, and values that can be expressed through intangible heritage.