The world heritage means what we inherit. Oxford dictionary defines heritage as “property, things or buildings that are or may be inherited pertaining to historic or cultural value.” There are two broad classifications of heritage. One is tangible and the other is intangible. The tangible heritage refers to the remains of the past such as monuments, artefacts and archaeological sites, whereas intangible heritage pertains to the practices, skills, knowledge and inherited traditions and living expressions.
The significance of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) is based on its inherent and essential values. The knowledge-sharing of ICH of different groups and communities at the global level helps promote intercultural dialogue and inspires mutual respect. Besides, it has social and economic importance. It leads to strengthening social cohesion and discourse and supports income generation and, thus, helps towards sustainable socio-economic development. However, this living form of heritage is not without danger due to certain factors, such as lack of appreciation and understanding, cultural homogenisation and globalisation. This makes it insignificant or outdated in a certain section of masses. The social transformation due to urbanisation and migration is another factor, which is considered a threat to the transmission of intangible heritage. For the safeguarding and preservation of ICH, cultural mapping or inventory management is crucially important.
Cultural mapping is an inventory or data of the cultural resources of a particular community. It is a useful tool to identify and record cultural assets such as customs, traditions, values, memories, heritage, local stories, practices, rituals as well as cultural spaces, objects and artefacts associated therewith. The main objective of cultural mapping is to preserve cultural diversity and get insight into people, history, identity and knowledge.
There are several potentially significant cultural elements, which need urgent safeguarding and possible inscription on the world heritage list. So far, only three ICH elements submitted by Pakistan have been inscribed. These are Suri Jagek, Nowrouz and Falconry. Nowrouz and Falconry elements were jointly submitted to UNESCO as these two elements are common with those of other countries of the region.
The practice of Suri Jagek, a vanishing and ancient tradition was inscribed on world heritage, is in need of urgent safeguarding list in 2018. It is a traditional knowledge of the Kalash community regarding astronomical practice for observing the sun. Based on this oral practice, the community used to develop a calendar for fixing the date for social and cultural events. The other element is Nowrouz (New day), which was jointly presented by Pakistan and Iran to UNESCO in 2016 for inscription. It is an important traditional practice celebrated on March 21 that marks the beginning of a new year and the arrival of spring. During this traditional event, people perform dances and organise other cultural events. It has been observed for more than 3000 years and symbolises fertility and new life. Another element on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage is Falconry. Inscribed in 2016, it is the use of trained birds for hunting wild animals. This is considered a living human heritage and very old traditional activity.
Founded in 1945, UNESCO is working continuously for safeguarding cultural heritage. The 2003 convention for the safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) is the first legally binding instrument particularly devoted to such heritage. This convention emphasis on the viability as well as the revitalisation of heritage. Sections III and IV of the above-referred convention explicitly deal with the safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage at the national and international level. The subsequent clauses of the articles define the role of state parties, inventories and other required necessary steps on how to preserve and safeguard this living heritage.
The state parties must take such steps required to ensure the safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)
The state parties must take such steps that are significantly required to ensure the safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) being practised or present in their country. This also includes identification as well as definition and inventory management of several elements through the participation of communities and other relevant stakeholders. The inventories of elements are required to be updated regularly as per the spirit of the convention. In addition to that, the signatories of convention take measures like adopting a general policy focusing on promoting the functioning of ICH and further integration in the planning and development programmes.
It is also the responsibilities of state parties to adopt proper legal, technical, administrative and financial measures with the purpose to create and strengthen institutions for capacity building and management of ICH. The Convention also provides for Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund. The operation of the convention is ensured by two important governing bodies. One is the General Assembly of the State Parties to the Convention, and the second is the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The former meets every two years to give strategic direction regarding implementation of the convention, whereas the later meets at least once in a year to guarantee the discharge of the obligations as mandated by the convention.
Culture is considered a significant part of sustainable development and a source that potentially can bring about collective mobilisation and social inclusion. It’s time to work collectively for the cultural environment to flourish through effective and sound public policies to promote a soft image of the country. We must take all appropriate measures such as education, awareness-raising and community engagement. Pakistan is a signatory of the UNESCO Convention for the safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 2003. It is vitally important to identify and document our valuable cultural resources for our future generation and register them for inscription in the ICH list of UNESCO. Our responsibility as a civilised nation is to ensure that our cultural heritage remains preserved and an active part of our lives.
The writer is a Chevening Alumnus and Secretary to the Government of Balochistan (Culture, Tourism & Archaeology Department)