The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defines intangible cultural heritage elements as 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 term intangible cultural heritage is formally established by the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which was drafted in 2003 and took effect in 2006. The inscription of new heritage elements on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists for protection and safeguarding is determined by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, an organization established by the convention. Colombia ratified the convention on 19 March 2008. It served on the Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee from 2016 to 2020.
National lists are required by the convention for the further nomination of elements to the UNESCO lists.
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity consists of three lists: the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, and the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices. Colombia has elements inscribed in the three lists.
Representative List This list aims to represent the intangible cultural heritage of Colombia worldwide and bring awareness to its significance.
+ Name Media Year DescriptionCultural space of Palenque de San Basilio200800102Carnival of Barranquilla200800051 Carnaval de Negros y Blancos 2009 00287 Holy Week processions in Popayán 2009 00259 Wayuu normative system, applied by the Pütchipü'üi (palabrero) 2010 00435 Traditional knowledge of the jaguar shamans of Yuruparí 2011 00574 Festival of Saint Francis of Assisi, Quibdó 2012 00640 Marimba music, traditional chants and dances from the Colombia South Pacific region and Esmeraldas Province of Ecuador 2015 01099 Ancestral system of knowledge of the four indigenous peoples, Arhuaco, Kankuamo, Kogui and Wiwa of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta 2022 01886 Midwifery: knowledge, skills and practices 2023 01968 Living pictures of Galeras, Sucre 2024 01887
Need of Urgent Safeguarding This list covers elements that are endangered and thus require appropriate safeguarding.
+ Name Media Year DescriptionTraditional Vallenato music of the Greater Magdalena region201501095 Colombian-Venezuelan llano work songs 2017 01285 Traditional knowledge and techniques associated with Pasto Varnish mopa-mopa of Putumayo and Nariño202001599
Register of Good Safeguarding Practices This list accredits programs and projects that safeguard intangible cultural heritage and express the principles of the convention. + Name Media Year Description Safeguarding strategy of traditional crafts for peace building 2019 01480
See also
List of World Heritage Sites in Colombia Culture of Colombia Tourism in Colombia
Notes
References
External links UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Official site UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in Colombia: Official site