Identifying Intangible Cultural Heritage

Marilena Alivizatou

Outline

-  Revisit ‘identification’ within the 2003 ICH Convention.

-  Examine subsequent international discussions on ‘identification’.

-  Define stakeholders (locally/ nationally/ internationally).

-  Examine methodologies of identification focus on inventories (national/ international).

ICH Identification

2003 Convention defines ‘identification’ as the first step of the safeguarding process.

HOWEVER, it provides little further explanation as to what this entails and detailed methodologies through which it can be achieved.

Identification: local national international

2003 ICH Convention

Identification on a NATIONAL level:

Article 11 (Role of State Parties):

-  Each SP shall identify and define the various elements of ICH present in its territory, with the participation of communities, groups and relevant NGOs.

2003 ICH Convention

Article 12 (Inventories): -  To ensure identification with a view to

safeguarding, each SP shall draw up, in a manner geared to its own situation, one or more inventories of the ICH present in its territory. These inventories shall be regularly updated.

-  When each SP periodically submits its report to the Committee, it shall provide relevant information on such inventories.

2003 ICH Convention

Article 13 (Other measures for Safeguarding): Each SP shall endeavour to: ... d) Adopt legal, technical, administrative and

financial measures aimed at: … iii) establishing documentation institutions for

ICH and facilitating access to them.

What is the role of museums, cultural centres and heritage organisations in this?

2003 ICH Convention Identification on an INTERNATIONAL level: Article 16 (Representative List of ICH): -  In order to ensure better visibility of ICH and

awareness of its significance, and to encourage dialogue which respects cultural diversity, the Committee shall establish, keep up to date and publish a Representative List of the ICH of Humanity.

-  The Committee shall draw up… the criteria for the establishment, updating and publication of this Representative List (OG 2008).

Criteria (OG 2008) 1.The element constitutes ICH as defined in the Convention. 2. Inscription of the element will contribute to ensuring

visibility and awareness of the significance of ICH and to encouraging dialogue, thus reflecting cultural diversity worldwide and testifying to human creativity.

3. Safeguarding measures are elaborated that may protect and promote the element.

4. The element has been nominated following the widest possible participation of the community, group or, if applicable, individuals concerned and with their free, prior and informed consent.

5. The element is included in an inventory of ICH present in the territory(ies) of the submitting SP.

2003 ICH Convention

Article 17 (ICH in Need of Urgent Safeguarding): -  With a view to taking appropriate safeguarding

measures, the Committee shall establish, keep up to date and publish a List of ICH in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, and shall inscribe such heritage on the List at the request of the SP concerned.

-  The Committee shall draw up … the criteria for the establishment, updating and publication of this List (OG 2008).

Criteria (OG 2008)

Same as RL plus: 2a. The element is in urgent need of safeguarding

because its viability is at risk despite the efforts of the community, group or, if applicable, individuals and SP concerned; (or)

2b. The element is in extremely urgent need of safeguarding because it is facing grave threats as a result of which it cannot be expected to survive without immediate safeguarding.

How are ICH elements identified?

International Identification (Lists) ↑

National Inventories ↑

Local agencies, NGOs ↑

Communities, groups and individuals

Why is identification important?

Identification and subsequent documentation are not the ultimate purpose of the 2003 Convention,

BUT RATHER the first steps of the safeguarding process (research, preservation, enhancement, transmission, promotion, revitalisation).

HOWEVER, identification and documentation can be the most formalised steps and risk dissociating cultural expressions from their communities.

WHO and HOW?

Key questions in identifying and documenting ICH that are not addressed in detail by the 2003 Convention.

Subsequent meetings and discussions have provided more information on these issues regarding national instruments and initiatives:

2004 UNESCO & ACCU workshop on inventory – making [HOW?].

2006 UNESCO & ACCU expert meeting on community involvement [WHO?]

Identification on National level National lists, inventories and registers

Aikawa (2004): JAPAN (performing arts, production technique of

applied art and folk cultural property) BRAZIL (knowledge, celebrations, forms of

expression and places) KOREA (music, drama, dance, games,

ceremonies, martial arts, food and daily needs)

Identification on National level

PHILIPPINES 2003 Convention (oral traditions, social practices, performing arts, rituals & festive events, knowledge)

CAMBODIA performing arts (classical dance, folk and popular dance, drama, music and circus), oral cultural heritage (languages, oral folklore, oral literature), and artisan skills (silk weaving, silver smith, pagoda painting, mask making handicrafts, kite-making-flying).

‘None of the cultures in their immense variety bears the same feature. Each country has different scientific approaches and methods in dealing with ICH. Also there are wide gaps in administrative, technical, financial and human resource capacities. An attempt to establish a standard model for the drawing up of an inventory seems to be unrealistic.’ Aikawa 2004

Guidelines of Best Practice

JAPAN

1950 Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties: (Tangible CP, Intangible CP, Folk CP, Monuments, Historic Buildings)

Saito 2004: -  List of Important Intangible Cultural Properties. -  List of Important Intangible Folk Cultural

Properties. -  List of Holders of Selected Conservation

Techniques.

Historical Background 1868: Meiji Restoration Influx of Western culture

in Japan (calendar and clothing). Traditional culture neglected/ abandoned. First laws for the protection of traditional performing arts.

1940-5: WWII Destruction of Noh and Kabuki theatres and abandonment of traditional ways of life. Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties.

1960-70: Economic growth, migration to cities, lifestyle changes, abandonment of traditional practices. Protection of Folk Cultural Properties.

Sense of identity and continuity.

List of Intangible Cultural Properties

Traditional performing arts and craft techniques with high historical and aesthetic value.

It comprises both the cultural expression and tradition bearers (skilled artists National Human Treasures)

Skills are what ascribe value to the designated ‘treasures’ and not individual performers or practitioners.

List of Intangible Folk Cultural Properties

These are expressions that are related to particular regions (local shrines, local festival days).

They are performed by local people. Each expression has different meaning according

to where it is performed. Transmission of skills and knowledge takes place

locally.

List of Holders of Selected Conservation Techniques

Bridging the tangible / intangible divide. Techniques for making or repairing musical

instruments, stage sets. These are techniques chosen based not on artistic

or historic value (like the craft techniques in previous list), but rather on the indispensability of the actual products.

Inventory Making in Japan

A. Pre-selection Academic research (folklore, ethnology,

anthropology, ethnomusicology) Selection and designation at local (prefectural)

level B. Selection Screening On-site research by institutional employees Drafting proposal by institution

Inventory Making in Japan

Ministerial review and approval (Ministry of Culture and Council of Cultural Affairs)

Designation announced in government newsletter C. Post-Selection Designation Certificate Implementation of assistance programmes as

necessity arises (financial, administrative, legal measures and interventions).

Inventory-making on a national level emerges as a highly bureaucratised process involving multiple stakeholders across social groups:

-  tradition bearers, -  local governments, -  NGOs, -  state cultural bureaucrats, -  politicians, -  national government.

Is this a bottom-up or top-down process?

International Inventories of ICH

-  Proclamation of Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity (2001-5).

-  Representative List of the ICH of Humanity.

-  List of ICH in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

Proclamation of Masterpieces -  3 Proclamations 2001, 2003, 2005. -  A Jury of International Experts decides which

cultural expressions will be proclaimed Masterpieces.

-  90 Masterpieces have been proclaimed. -  Sensitisation towards safeguarding ICH. -  Importance of creators of ICH & practicing

communities. -  Proclamation ended in 2006.

Candidature File

- Identification: Geographical location, practitioners, frequency.

- Description: History, development, social & historical function, risks & threats.

- Justification: 6 criteria. - Management: Responsible body, legal &

administrative measures. - Action Plan: Detailed plan for the protection &

promotion of the candidate.

Candidature File

- Accompanying Documentation: Maps, photographs, audiovisual recordings,

reference works on theme.

Letter authorizing dissemination of information & letter attesting to agreement of participants.

Five other projected forms that the MS envisages of proposing for future Proclamations.

Selection Criteria

1. Outstanding value as a masterpiece of human creative genius.

2. Rooted in the cultural tradition/ history of concerned community.

3. Role as means of affirming cultural identity of community.

4. Excellence in the application of skills or technical qualities displayed.

5. Unique testimony of a living cultural tradition. 6. Risk of disappearing (modernisation/

acculturation).

Safeguarding of ICH

Sensitisation of governments and international community towards safeguarding of ICH.

Kutiyattam Theatre, India

Communities

Communities participate in candidature process and in the implementation of the action plan.

Sand drawings, Vanuatu

Reinvigoration

Development: Generation of income to

sustain expressions.

Incentive for younger generations to be involved.

The Chants of Ifugao, Philippines

Masterpiece?

Is the term ‘masterpiece’ a suitable term for living cultural expressions?

Sicilian Puppet Theatre, Italy,

Salvage Ethnography?

Is there really a need for safeguarding living culture?

Sanitised image of cultural expressions that have not been spoilt by modern civilisation.

Rabinal Achi,Guatemala

Commercialisation

A source of income, BUT

what about profit-oriented

re-enactments?

Whirling Dervishes in a sports hall

Identification of ICH is a complex process that is very much community or country specific.

Impossible to establish international guidelines of ICH inventory making.

ICH inventories are never final, but constantly updated.

National and international inventories often involve high levels of bureaucracy and are resource consuming.

Alternative strategies???