Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity

Encyclopedia : M : MA : MAS : Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity

The Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity is a list maintained by UNESCO with pieces of intangible culture considered relevant by that organization. It was started in 2001 with 19 items and a further 28 were added in 2003. On November 25, 2005 another list was issued.

Each item is nominated by a country or more than one country. Some other items are nominated by one country but supported by one or more others.

Contents

1 2001 list
2 2003 list
3 2005 list
4 Past and current candidates
5 References
6 External links

2001 list

Belize with Honduras and Nicaragua: The Garifuna Language, Dance and Music - The Garifuna are a people descended from Nigerian slaves shipwrecked on Saint Vincent mixed with the native Carib islanders. Later, the Garifuna moved to Central America, and are now most numerous in Belize. Garifuna music and dance combine African and indigenous elements, and include a variety of circle dances, satirical, work and a cappella songs and popular paranda and punta music. The Garifuna language is considered to be a part of the Arawak family.
Benin with Nigeria and Togo: The Oral Heritage of Gelede - Gelede is an annual festival which celebrates the wisdom of mothers and female elders among the Yoruba people. The festival includes headdresses worn by men who masquerade as women to placate the elder women of the tribe. Dance and music are integral parts of the ceremony, which utilizes traditional elements of Yoruba music including complex percussion and singing. The Gelede is preceded by a ceremony called Efe, which takes place the night before.
Bolivia: The Oruro Carnival - Oruro was a ceremonial site in the pre-Columbian era and was refounded by the Spanish in 1606. It was the site for the Ito festival, which was banned by the Spanish in the 17th century but continued ostensibly as a Christian celebration wherein ancient Andean gods were recast as saints. It became associated with Christmas, and was celebrated on February 2, Candlemas. It is now an annual festival held before Lent and lasting for ten days. The most important event is the entrada, which is a procession of more than 28000 dancers and 10000 musicians who march for four kilometres for more than twenty continuous hours as part of the ceremony.
China: Kunqu Opera - The Kunqu opera may be the oldest form of Chinese opera, dating back to the Ming Dynasty of the 14th to the 17th centuries. Kunqu utilizes a stock cast of two leads, one male and one female, as well as an old man and a number of comic roles. Performances include song and dance, accompanied by a variety of string, wind and percussion instruments.
Côte d'Ivoire: The Gbofe of Afounkaha: The Music of the Transverse Trumpets of the Tagbana Community - Gbofe is a kind of transverse trumpet as well as the performances which utilize them among the Tagbana people. These performances use six trumpets with a varying length, as well as song and dance. In addition to the trumpets, there is a Gbofe percussion section which provides structure for the performance, which is played at a variety of ceremonies and rituals.
Dominican Republic: The Cultural Space of the Brotherhood of the Holy Spirit of the Congos of Villa Mella - The Brotherhood of the Holy Spirit of the Congos of Villa Mella is an organization composed of musicians who specialize in the conga drums. The Brotherhood dates back to the 16th century, and has become an essential part of Dominican culture. These musicians play at religious festivals, funerals and other occasions, such as the Festival of the Holy Spirit and the Banko ceremony which occurs three years after the death of an individual.
Ecuador and Peru: The Oral Heritage and Cultural Manifestations of the Zápara People - The Zápara are a people who live in the Amazon Rainforest, and are believed to be among the oldest inhabitants of that diverse area. Their oral culture includes a great understanding of the natural life of the rainforest, as well as complex mythological and artistic practices.
Georgia: Georgian Polyphonic Singing - Polyphonic singing is an ancient tradition in Georgia, consisting of four main types (drone polyphony, contrapuntal polyphony, parallel (or "chordal unit)polyphony, and ostinato polyphony). The northwest region of Georgia, the most mountainous Svanetia has the "chordal unit" polyphony, while western Georgia is known for contrapuntal polyphony with the yodel, and eastern Georgia Khaketia is home to dialogue of two soloists with melismatic melodies with the pedal drone accompaniment. Ostinato polyphony is present in all regions of Georgia. Kakhetian traditions include the unique Chakrulo song, from the category of so called "long table song". Polyphonic traditions in Georgia were present at least by the 4th Century (by the time Chistianity was adopted as the state religion).
Guinea: The Cultural Space of Sosso-Bala in Nyagassola - The Sosso-Bala is a sacred instrument of the Mandingue people, and has been an important symbol of their culture since the old Malian Empire in the 13th century. The Sossa-Bala is a kind of balafon most closely associated with the Dökala of Nyagassola. The patriarch of the family, the Balatigui, plays the Sosso-Bala on special occasions and teaches its use to children. The instrument accompanies ancient epic poems dedicated to the ancient Malian heroes like Soundiata Keita and Soumaoro Kantè.
India: Kutiyattam, Sanskrit Theatre - Kutiyattam is the oldest theatrical tradition of India. It is Sanskrit in origin and is found in Kerala, performed in Kuttampalams, theatres found in Hindu temples. The tradition dates back to at least 2000 years ago. Originally sacred and tightly-controlled, Kutiyattam is now more accessible, though spiritual elements remain, with actors being purified and an oil lamp constantly burning during performances to symbolize the divine presence. Techniques are highly stylized and governed by strict rules were, until very recently, codified in manuals that were kept secret by specific families.
Italy: Opera dei Pupi, Sicilian Puppet Theatre L'Opera dei Pupi is a kind of puppet theatre which appeared in the early 19th century in Sicily. In these performances, chivalric tales, Italian poems and stories of the lives of saints and bandits were retold, partially improvised by the puppeteers. The two main schools of Opera dei Pupi are based in Catania and Palermo, distinguished by the characteristics of the puppets themselves as well as the techniques for operating them and the scenery. Methods of performance were usually passed down within a single family, though the creation of the actual puppets was done by specialized craftspeople.
Japan: Nōgaku Theatre - Dating back to the 8th century when Sangaku (later got corrupted to Sarugaku) performances were imported from China, Nōgaku developed in its modern form beginning in the 14th century. It is the primary form of Japanese theatre today, and is based on traditional tales. There are two different types, the Noh and the Kyōgen, with the former being a stylized tale of a supernatural hero narrator, with other parts being performed by masked actors, and the latter a form of comedy theatre closely derived from the Sangaku tradition. The text of Nōgaku comes from the oral language of the people of the 12 to the 16th centuries.
Lithuania with Latvia: Cross Crafting and its Symbolism in Lithuania - Cross crafting is the making of altars and crosses, and an important part of Lithuanian culture. Traditionally carved out of oak wood, Lithuanian traditional crosses are part of the people's Roman Catholic religion and are also linked to ancient pre-Christian culture dating back hundreds of years. Since Lithuania became a part of the Russian Empire in the 19th century, these crosses have become a symbol of the Lithuanian people. They are decorated with floral or geometric symbols, and sometimes adorned with small statues, and are usually one to five meters high.
Morocco: The Cultural Space of Jemaa el-Fna Square - Jemaa el-Fna Square is located in Marrakesh, and has been a symbol of that city since its birth in the 11th century. The Square is home to a diverse group of performers who are musicians, dancers, glass-eaters, snake charmers, story-tellers and more, as well as restaurants, henna tattooers, traditional doctors, preachers and more.
Philippines: Hudhud Chants of the Ifugao - The Ifugao community is known for the ancient hudhud chants that date from at least the 7th century. There are more than 200 chants in total, each composed of 40 episodes; there is only one melody for all the hudhud verses. The primary performer is a woman, whose brother plays a more important part than her husband. These chants employ complex literary techniques including onomatopoeia, metaphor and metonymy.
Russia: The Cultural Space and Oral Culture of the Semeiskie - The Semeiskie are a community living in the Transbaikal region; the people are "Old Believers" in the 16th century orthodox cult. They settled in their remote modern home under Catherine the Great and have retained many archaic elements of their culture, including their South Russian dialect. Semeiskie choirs come from Russian liturgical music of the Middle Ages and include polyphonic singing.
South Korea: Royal Ancestral Rite and Ritual Music in Jongmyo Shrine - Jongmyo is a Confucian shrine in Seoul, which is home to an annual rite performed on the first Sunday in May by descendants of the Korean royal family. The rite is Chinese in origin, though it is now only found in Jogmyo, and includes a prayer for the ancestors, music and dance. The modern form of the ritual dates to the 15th century. It begins with priests making offerings of food and libations, followed by music played using flutes, zithers, bells, gongs and lutes, and dance performed by 64 dancers who present an alternation of the Yin and Yang.
Spain: The Mystery Play of Elche - Elche is a theatrical performance which enacts the death, assumption and crowning of the Virgin Mary. It has been performed without interruption in the Basilica of Santa Maria de Elche since the middle of the 15th century. The drama is entirely sung, and is composed of two acts performed on the 14th and 15th of August. The words to the drama are mostly in Valencian, with some segments in Latin, and is composed of solo medieval sections alternating with polyphonic Baroque and Renaissance sections.
Uzbekistan: The Cultural Space of the Boysun District - Boysun is a region in Uzbekistan, one of the oldest inhabited areas in the world. Having long been part of a cultural crossroads, Boysun's heritage includes a variety of religions including Islam, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism, as well as ancient shamanist beliefs. In addition, there are unique rituals such as the spring festival of Navruz which invokes the god of rain and the family rite performed 40 days after a child's birth to chase away evil spirits. Traditional chants are common, utilizing themes from national epics and accompanied by wind and string instruments.

2003 list

Azerbaijan: Azerbaijani Mugam - Mugam is a form of classical music characterized by a high degree of both structure and improvisation. It is typically played by instruments including the daf (a large tambourine), the kamancha (a four-stringed spiked fiddle) and the tar (an eleven-stringed long-necked lute). Mugham is related to the music of Central Asia, as well as Armenian music, Persian radif, Turkish makam and Iraqi maqam. In Azerbaijan, mugham is traditionally played at wedding feasts and intimate gatherings called majles, and is also a part of Sufi dramatic ta'zie and shabih traditions.
Belgium: The Carnival of Binche - Binche is a Belgian town south of Brussels, known for the annual carnival celebration held during the three days preceding Lent, beginning on Shrove Sunday and culminating on Shrove Tuesday. Binche's carnival tradition is one of the oldest of its kind, dating back to the Middle Ages. During the carnival, men dressed in flamboyant feminine costumes, called Mam'selles, are prominent in the early part of the carnival, with colourfully-costumed Gilles characters appearing on the final day.
Bolivia: The Andean Cosmovision of the Kallawaya - The Kallawaya are a group of indigenous Bolivians found in the Bautista Saavedra region. They are renowned for ancient traditional medical techniques, which include a number of ceremonies that form the basis for the local economy and culture. Kallawaya priest doctors, exclusively male, are found throughout South America applying their knowledge.
Brazil: The Oral and Graphic Expressions of the Wajapi - The Wajapi are an Amazonian ethnic group of the Tupi-Guarani family living in the northern state of Amapá. They have a vibrant tradition of tattooing (kusiwa) and a unique language which uses both verbal and graphic components. The kusiwa tradition, which uses red vegetable dyes to draw jaguars, fish and other animal symbols, is closely linked to Wajapi religion and is an integral part of their culture.
Cambodia: The Royal Ballet of Cambodia - Cambodian royal ballet has been a part of Cambodian traditions for more than a millennium, and has long been used to celebrate royal funerals, marriages and coronations. The ballet utilizes four stock characters: Sva the monkey, Yeak the giant, Neang the woman and Neayrong the man, each of which can be distinguished by masks, gestures and costumes.
Central African Republic: The Oral traditions of the Aka Pygmies of Central Africa - The Aka Pygmies of Central Africa have a tradition of Pygmy music that differs greatly from their neighbours. It is performed by all members of the community, and is characterized by complex contrapuntal polyphony and improvisation. Aka music is part of numerous rituals relating to hunting, funerals and other occasions, and is accompanied by a variety of instruments, chosen according to the ceremony in question; these instruments include the geedalebagongo (a kind of harp), tom-tom (enzeko and the mbela (a bow)).
China: The Art of Guqin Music - The guqin is an ancient instrument, similar to a zither, and dates back to some 3,000 years ago. The instrumental techniques became an integral part of Chinese intellectual thought, especially during the Han Dynasty. Scholars were expected to learn guqin along with chess, painting and calligraphy. The instrument itself is quite complex, using thirteen marked pitch positions, seven strings attached in ten different ways, for a total range of four octaves played using three basic techniques.
Colombia: The Carnival of Barranquilla - Barranquilla has been one of Colombia's most diverse cities and active trading centres since the 19th century, bringing in villagers from across the area, each with their own unique traditions. The Barranquilla Carnival occurs during the last four days before Lent, and includes dances like the Spanish paloteo, African congo and indigenous mico y micas. Many styles of Colombian music are also performed, most prominently cumbia, and instruments include drum and wind ensembles.
Cuba: La Tumba Francesa, Music of the Oriente Brotherhood - The Oriente province of Cuba is Afro-Haitian and is most well-known for tumba francesa, a fusion of Dahomean West African music and French musical styles. Haitians arrived in the area beginning in the 1790s, eventually forming societies in urban cities late in the following the centuries. Tumba francesa is led by a lead singer (composé), along with instrumental accompanied by catá and tumba drums and female choral vocals. The traditional dances, masón and yubá, associated with tumba francesa are led by the Mayor de Plaza.
Egypt: The Al-Sirah al-Hilaliyya Epic The Hilali epic is an ancient poem that tells the story of the Bani Hilal Bedouin tribe, who migrated from the Arabian Peninsula to North Africa in the 10th century. It is the only epic of its kind to continue to be performed in its traditional form. The Hilali epic is performed by poets who sing while playing percussion of rabab, a two-stringed spike fiddle, to celebrated circumcision ceremonies, weddings and other special occasions.
Estonia: The Kihnu Cultural Space - The Baltic islands of Manija and Kihnu are home to a small group of traditional people. For many years, the men of Kihnu have been frequently gone to sea while the women ran the island and became the guardians of the island's cultural heritage, which includes handicrafts, dances, games and music. Music is an especially important part of the island's traditions, and accompanies handicrafting, religious feasts and other celebrations. Ancient runo-styled songs are also important, as are traditional clothings adorned with decorations and bright colours that symbolize ancient legends and poems.
India: The Tradition of Vedic Chanting - The Vedas are a collection of ancient Sanskrit philosophy, mythology and poetry, developed several millennia ago by the Aryans. They include the Rig Veda, which collects hymns and its accompanying Sama Veda, which features the music to accompany the hymns, and the Atharva Veda's collection of spells and ceremonies and the Yajur Veda's prayers and other rituals. The Vedas' verses are traditionally chanted, and have been transmitted mostly orally.
Indonesia: Wayang Puppet Theatre - Originating on Java, Wayang is an elaborate performance style which includes music and puppetry. It has spread throughout Indonesia, and has become quite diverse across its range. The puppets are typically of two kinds, one made of wood and the other shadow puppets projected on a lit screen from behind. The puppetry is accompanied by complex music utilizing gamelan drums and bronze instruments. Wayang has been an important part of Indonesian culture for many years, with the puppeteers regarded as repositories of moral and aesthetic values. Wayang narratives draw on native traditions from the area, as well as from India and Persia.
Iraq: Iraqi Maqam - Maqam is Iraqi classical music, and is an ancient tradition related to similar practices from neighbouring Iran to distant Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. Maqam utilizes complex improvisation led by a vocalist (qari') who is accompanied by an orchestra (tshalghi) composed of dumbak (a hand drum), daff (tambourine), santur (hammer dulcimer) and jawzah (four-stringed spike fiddle). The maqam repertoire comes from classical Arabic poetry.
Jamaica: The Maroon Heritage of Moore Town - Moore Town is a rural town inhabited by the descendants of Maroons, runaway slaves who escaped into the interior Blue and Johncrow mountains of Jamaica. With their size growing, the Maroons began waging war against the British colonialists, who eventually signed a treaty recognizing the Maroon's autonomy in 1739. The traditions of the Maroons are known as Kromanti Play and include West and Central African language, music, dance and other elements. The Kromanti language, traditional medicine, songs and rhythms are an important part of Maroon heritage, as are the communally-owned treaty lands and the abeng, a trumpet used for communication over long distances.
Japan: Ningyo Jōruri Bunraku Puppet Theatre - Ningyo Jōruri Bunraku is a performance art that uses puppetry, singing and musical accompaniment. It arose from a combination of 15th century Jōruri drama and puppetry, known originally as Ningyo Jōruri. The narratives of this early form of Ningyo Johruri Bunraku were derived from sewamono, contemporary dramas, and jidaimono, historical plays. By the end of the 19th century, Ningyo Johruri had mostly reached its modern form, in which three puppeteers used large puppets while a musician plays the shamisen and a narrator (tayu) describes the actions and portrays all the characters.
Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania: The Baltic Song and Dance Celebrations - The Baltic states share a tradition of celebrations that take place every four years in Lithuania and every five in Estonia and Latvia. These celebrations take several days and use many thousands of performers whose repertoire includes a wide range of ancient folk songs and modern genres of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian music. The celebrations became institutionalized in the 18th century as choral singing societies began to spread. Beginning in Estonia in 1869, these song and dance celebrations became an important symbol of national identity beginning with independence from Russia in the 1920s and continuing despite Soviet domination.
Kyrgyzstan: The Art of Akyns, Kyrgyz Epic Tellers - The akyns are epic storytellers of the Kyrgyz, performers of song and poetry that date back to ancient times. The akyns' techniques have been transmitted orally, and including the Manas trilogy (Manas, Semetey and Seitek) that dates back more than a millennium. Many of the epics are semi-historical, and are accompanied by a three-stringed lute called the komuz.
Madagascar: Woodcrafting Knowledge of the Zafimaniry - The Zafimaniry community is the last in Madagascar to retain knowledge about traditional woodcraft which was once widespread. These traditions include the sculpting of stools, walls, window frames and tools, using more than twenty local species that are each used for a specific purpose. With no nails or other metal devices, houses are built using mortise and tenon joints. Zafimaniry woodcrafts are decorated with motifs that are highly regularized yet contain much individual expression and symbolism.
Mexico: The Indigenous Festivity Dedicated to the Dead - El Día de los Muertos is a traditional celebration of indigenous Mexicans, commemorating the return of the deceased at the end of October and in early November, as well as the end of the summer growing season. El Día de los Muertos is celebrated by the placement of offerings including food, flowers and candles along the path from the cemetery to the deceased's homes. Performing the rituals incorrectly is said to bring misfortune, though doing them correctly bring great luck. Rituals occur on a specific day, which varies depending on the deceased's age, sex, profession and cause of death.
Mongolia: The Traditional Music of Morin Khuur - The morin khuur is a two-stringed horse head fiddle that has been a part of Mongolian culture dating back to at least the 13th century Mongol Empire. The instrument is an important part of ceremonies and is played using a variety of techniques, generally for solo performance, though also to accompany long songs, stories and dances. Some morin khuur tunes are intended to tame animals.
South Korea: The Pansori Epic Chant - Pansori is a kind of performance that uses a vocalist-storytellers accompanied by a drum. A single performance can last more than eight hours. The tradition dates back to 17th century southwest Korea, spreading among the common folk until it gained popularity among the urban sophisticates in the late 19th century. Elements of pansori narratives date back to the Joseon period and include themes regarding love, mourning and family.
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan: Shashmaqom Music - Shashmaqom is a kind of Central Asian classical music, and uses a variety of literary techniques, melodies and rhythms, and both vocal and instrumental styles. Performances may be by a group of singers, or one individual, or an orchestra consisting of wind, percussion and string instruments.
Tonga: Lakalaka, Dances and Sung Speeches of Tonga - Tonga's lakalaka tradition includes music, dance and oratory, and is performed at celebrations such as coronations and anniversaries of the constitution. In its modern form, lakalaka developed in the 19th century, but can be traced to a local dance called the me'elaufola. Performances are by groups of several hundred individuals who are in rows divided by sex, both of which have their own styles. The tradition is led by a poet, composer and choreographer called the punake.
Turkey: The Arts of the Meddah, Public Storytellers - Meddahlik is a form of theatre performed by a meddah, originating prior to the 6th century, when the Central Asian Turkic peoples migrated west. The meddahs perform in markets, mosques and elsewhere, and are considered educators and commentators on important social and political issues. The performances blend a variety of legends, jokes and improvised commentary.
Vanuatu: [Vanuatu Sand Drawings] - Vanuatu sand drawing is a ritual form of expression produced by specialists using a single finger to draw a compositions of geometric patterns that are very complex, yet produced entirely from one line. The symbols are used to communicate among the diverse peoples of Vanuatu, as well as record ritual lore, history, songs and knowledge. Sand drawings typically perform more than one function and can be read simultaneously as art, information, messages, contemplative thoughts and narrative illustration.
Vietnam: [Nha Nhac, Vietnamese Court Music] - Nha nhac is a kind of Vietnamese classical music and dance, and is quite diverse, having developed over the course of some five hundred years, between the 15th and 20th centuries, beginning with the Le Dynasty and finally being codified by the Nguyen Dynasty. The music is performed to celebrate holidays, funerals, coronations and important ceremonies. Orchestras with many kinds of percussion instruments, as well as wind and strings, accompany a large number of singers and dancers, all of whom wear elaborate and detailed costumes.
Yemen: Songs of Sanaa - Dating from the 14th century, traditional Yemeni music derives from classical poetry and remains an important part of social activities and gatherings as well as rituals and ceremonies. The songs are performed by a singer accompanied by a qanbus (a lute) and a sahn nuhasi, a copper tray balanced on the thumbs and played with the other fingers. Music is one of a number of melodic types, though there is significant embellishment on the part of individual performances, and may accompany dances. The repertoire draws on Yemeni dialect and classical Arabic poetry and is deeply expressive.

2005 list

Albania: Albanian folk iso-polyphony
Algeria: Ahellil of Gourara
Armenia: Duduk Music
Bangladesh: Baul songs
Belgium and France: Processional giants and dragons in Belgium and France
Bhutan: The mask dance of the drums from Drametse
Brazil: Samba of Roda from Recôncavo Baiano
Bulgaria: The Bistritsa Babi (grandmothers of Bistritsa) – Archaic polyphony, dances and ritual practices from the Shoplouk region
Cambodia: Sbek Thom, Khmer shadow theatre
China: The Art of Chinese Xinjiang Uyghur Muqam
Colombia: The cultural space of Palenque de San Basilio
Costa Rica: Oxherding and oxcart tradition in Costa Rica
Czech Republic: Slovácko Verbuňk, Dance of recruits
Dominican Republic: Cocolo dancing drama tradition
Guatemala: Rabinal Achí Ballet
India: Ramlila: the traditional performance of the Ramayana
Indonesia: Indonesian Kris
Italy: The A Tenore Song of the Sardinian pastoral culture
Japan: Kabuki
Jordan: The cultural space of the Bedu in Petra and Wadi Rum
Malawi: Vimbuza Healing Dance
Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia: Gule Wamkulu
Malaysia: Mak Yong
Mali: The cultural space of the Yaaral and Degal
Mongolia and China: Urtiin Duu - Mongolian traditional folk Long Song
Morocco: The Moussem of Tan-Tan
Mozambique: Chopi Timbila
Nicaragua: El Güegüense
Nigeria: Ifa Divination system in Nigeria
Palestine: The Palestinian Hikaye
Peru: Taquile and its textile art
Philippines: Darangen Epic of the Maranao People of Lake Lanao
Republic of Korea: Gangneung Danoje Festival
Romania: The Căluş
Russian Federation: Yakut Heroic Epos - Olonkho
Senegal and Gambia: The Kankurang, or Manding initiatory rite
Slovakia: Fujara - Musical instrument and its music (Slovakia)
Spain: The Patum of Berga
Turkey: The Mevlevi Sema Ceremony
Uganda: Bark cloth making in Uganda
Vietnam: The space of Gong culture in the Central Highland of Vietnam
Zambia: The Makishi Masquerade
Zimbabwe: Mbende/Jerusarema dance

Past and current candidates

Belarus: Belarus may have nominated the "Cultural Space of the Eastern Polesie" for the 2005 list ^{[#endnote_Belarus]}.
Brazil: Brazil's 2004 candidate was samba music ^{[#endnote_Brazil]}.
People's Republic of China: China's official 2005 nominees are the maqam tradition of the Uyghur people ^{[#endnote_China1]} and Chinese traditional medicine ^{[#endnote_China5]}. Other possible candidates included the Xian drum music of Shaanxi ^{[#endnote_China2]}, the Dragon Boat Festival ^{[#endnote_China4]}, Tibetan opera ^{[#endnote_China6]}, Tai Chi ^{[#endnote_China7]} and Shaolin kung fu ^{[#endnote_China3]}. The 2002 "shortlist" for China included the traditions of paper-cutting, the Ragoin form of Tibetan religious art, Sichuan opera and the Yunjin brocade from Nanjing ^{[#endnote_China2002]}. The paper-cutting tradition had also been considered in 2000 ^{[#endnote_China2000]}.
Iran: Iran's 2007 nominees will be Iranian traditional music ^{[#endnote_Iran]}.
Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, India: These countries jointly submitted the Norouz Persian New Year's festival for 2005 ^{[#endnote_norouz]}
Iran, Tajikistan, India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka: These countries jointly submitted "Asha: The Law of Harmony, A Study of Environmental Consciousness in Zoroastrian Rituals" for 2003 ^{[#endnote_Zoroastrian]}.
Japan: Japan's 2004 nominee was kabuki ^{[#endnote_Japan]}.
Kirghizstan: Kirghizstan's 2004 nominees were Aken balladry and the Manasi epic tale ^{[#endnote_China4]}.
Republic of Macedonia: Macedonia's 2003 nominees were Teskoto and the Galicnik wedding ^{[#endnote_Macedonia]}.
Malawi: Malawi has nominated the nyau dance and society ^{[#endnote_Zimbabwe]}.
Netherlands: The Netherlands may have submitted Sinterklaas for the 2003 list ^{[#endnote_Netherlands]}
Palau: Palau's 2005 candidate may have been airai bai ^{[#endnote_Palau]}.
Russia: Russia's 2007 nominees may be Sabantuy ^{[#endnote_Russia]}.
South Korea: South Korea's 2005 nominee was the Gangneung Dragon Boat Festival ^{[#endnote_China4]}.
Venezuela: Venezuela's 2003 nominees was the Dancing Devils celebration ^{[#endnote_Venezuela]}.
Vietnam: Vietnam's 2005 nominees is "The Cultural Space of Central Highland Gongs". 2007 candidates include quan ho singing style and the ca tru festival tradition ^{[#endnote_Vietnam]}.
Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe has previously nominated the Jerusalema/Mbende dance ^{[#endnote_Zimbabwe]}.

References

External links

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