The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) intangible cultural heritage elements are the non-physical traditions and practices performed by a people. As part of a country's cultural heritage, they include celebrations, festivals, performances, oral traditions, music, and the making of handicrafts. The "intangible cultural heritage" is defined by the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, drafted in 2003 and took effect in 2006. Inscription of new heritage elements on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists is determined by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, an organisation established by the convention.
South Korea ratified the convention on 9 February 2005. The government of South Korea also keeps an inventory with the elements declared "Important Intangible Cultural Property" () for protection and safeguard by the Korea Heritage Service () at the national level within its heritage preservation system.
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Representative List Name Image Year No. Description Gangneung Danoje festival 2008 00114 (), called by locals (), is a yearly celebration of the Korean holiday (), in Gangneung (Gangwon province). Pansori epic chant 2008 00070 () is a Korean genre of musical storytelling performed by a singer and a drummer. Royal ancestral ritual in the Jongmyo shrine and its music 2008 00016 () or () is a traditional rite held for worshipping the deceased Joseon monarchs in Jongmyo shrine in Seoul. It is held every year on the first Sunday of May. Cheoyongmu 2009 00189 () is a Korean mask dance based on the legend of (), a son of the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea. Ganggangsullae 2009 00188 () is an ancient Korean dance that was first used to bring about a bountiful harvest. It incorporates singing, dancing, and playing and is exclusively performed by women. Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut 2009 00187 () is a shaman ritual that is held on Jeju Island at the start of the Korean New Year. Yeongsanjae 2009 00186 () is a Buddhist ceremony which re-enacts Siddhartha Gautama delivering the sermon now known as the Lotus Sutra. Namsadang Nori 2009 00184 () is an itinerant troupe which consists of male performers who present various performing arts such as acrobatics, singing, dancing, and playing like a circus. Daemokjang, traditional wooden architecture 2010 00461 () is a style of traditional Korean wooden architecture and a term for the woodworking artisans who create it. Gagok, lyric song cycles accompanied by an orchestra 2010 00444 () is a genre of Korean vocal music for mixed female and male voices. Weaving of Mosi (fine ramie) in the Hansan region 2011 00453 (), a fine ramie weaved fabric made in Hansan area of Seocheon County in the province of South Chungcheong, is a traditional textile. Taekkyeon, a traditional Korean martial art 2011 00452 (), is a traditional Korean martial art. Jultagi, tightrope walking 2011 00448 () or () is traditional performance of tightrope walking. Arirang, lyrical folk song in the Republic of Korea 2012 00445 () is a Korean folk song. Kimjang, making and sharing kimchi in the Republic of Korea 2013 00881 (), also spelled , is the traditional process of preparation and preservation of kimchi, the spicy Korean fermented vegetable dish, in the wintertime. Nongak, community band music, dance and rituals in the Republic of Korea 2014 00717 () or is a Korean folk music tradition that includes drumming, dancing, and singing. Tugging rituals and games + 2015 01080 Tugging rituals and games in the rice-farming cultures are enacted to ensure abundant harvests and prosperity. Culture of Jeju Haenyeo (women divers) 2016 01068 () are female divers in the province of Jeju, whose livelihood consists of harvesting a variety of mollusks, seaweed, and other sea life from the ocean. Traditional Korean wrestling (Ssirum/Ssireum) + 2018 01533 () or Korean wrestling is a folk wrestling style and traditional national sport that began in the fourth century. Yeondeunghoe, lantern lighting festival in the Republic of Korea 2020 00882 () is a lantern-lighting festival celebrating the Buddha's Birthday. Falconry, a living human heritage + 2021 01708 Talchum, mask dance drama in the Republic of Korea 2022 01742 () is a Korean dance performed while wearing a mask, and often involves singing and dancing. Knowledge, beliefs and practices related to jang making in the Republic of Korea 2024 01975 is a variety of Korean condiments, such as , , and .
See also List of World Heritage Sites in South Korea National Intangible Cultural Heritage (South Korea)
Notes
References
External links UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Official site UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in South Korea: Official site