UNESCO Adds Endangered Traditions to Global Heritage List

Safeguarding of the social and cultural practices associated with landships in Barbados.

From hand-made salt on a Philippine island to ceremonial dances in Kenya and ancient textile traditions in Belarus, the UN cultural agency has added a diverse range of living traditions to its global lists of culture at risk, underscoring both the richness of human expression and the urgent need to safeguard heritage.

Unlike monuments or historic sites, “intangible cultural heritage” refers to living practices – traditions, skills, rituals, music, crafts and social customs passed down through generations.
Through its lists, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) works with governments and communities to promote these traditions, strengthen transmission, and mobilise support to ensure their survival, particularly where they are threatened by social, economic or environmental change.

Traditions in urgent need of safeguarding

This year, several elements were added to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, which recognises practices facing serious risk of disappearance.

In Viet Nam, the craft of Đông Hồ folk woodblock printing – known for its colourful hand-printed scenes of daily life, history and worship – was recognised for its fully manual process using carved wooden blocks, natural pigments and special paper coated with scallop powder. Once widespread, the tradition is now in decline.

The Mwazindika spiritual dance of the Daida community in Kenya was also inscribed. The practice combines dance, ritual, music and storytelling to promote healing, protection and spiritual balance during rites of passage, harvests and times of crisis.

Other newly safeguarded traditions include Pakistan’s Boreendo clay musical instrument, Panama’s quincha mud-house construction techniques, Paraguay’s Ñai’ũpo ceramic craftsmanship, the Philippines’ labour-intensive Asin Tibuok artisanal sea salt, Portugal’s moliceiro wooden boats, the Kobyz string instrument of Uzbekistan, Albania’s lahuta epic singing, landships cultural traditions in Barbados, and the Negliubka textile tradition of Belarus.

Living heritage celebrated worldwide

UNESCO also added new elements to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which highlights traditions that embody cultural diversity and human creativity.

Among the inscriptions is the Bisht, a ceremonial men’s garment worn across several Middle Eastern countries including Qatar, Iraq, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, symbolising respect and social standing during major life events.

In Venezuela, Joropo – a lively tradition combining music, poetry and dance shaped by Indigenous, African and European influences – was recognised for its central role in festivals and community life.

Bolivia’s Festivity of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Sucre, Argentina’s energetic dance-music genre cuarteto, Tangail saree weaving in Bangladesh, Behzad-style miniature art associated with Afghanistan, Belgian rod marionette theatre, Belize’s Christmas Bram and Sambai celebrations, Bulgarian bagpipe traditions, and the Zaffa wedding procession across parts of Africa and the Middle East were also added.