The UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has inscribed Ghana’s kente and 62 other new elements on its lists.
The move is aimed at preserving cultural diversity.
This decision was made during the committee’s meeting in Asunción, Paraguay, from December 2 to 6, 2024.
The new inscriptions include 2 elements on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, 58 elements on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and 3 programs on the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
These additions bring the total number of cultural practices on UNESCO’s lists to 788, representing 150 countries.
The inscriptions reflect the growing importance of intangible cultural heritage and the commitment of states to preserve their living heritage.
Notably, 16 of the elements presented this year were multinational inscriptions submitted by 62 countries, marking a significant increase from the previous session.
Additionally, five countries – Brunei Darussalam, Ghana, Myanmar, Rwanda, and Somalia – have received their first inscriptions.
The inscriptions also highlight the role of intangible cultural heritage in promoting social cohesion and inclusive societies.
Many of the elements inscribed this year, such as culinary practices and festive social gatherings, foster integration and community solidarity.
The next meeting of the committee will take place in December 2025 in New Delhi, India.
