
Register of Good Safeguarding PracticesInscribed 2021Description
Kyrgyz people’s cultural heritage is intrinsically linked to the nomadic lifestyle. However, during the Soviet era, which came with forced sedentation, many elements became endangered, including traditional games. After gaining independence in 1991, the local communities in Kyrgyzstan started working on revitalizing and celebrating their traditional culture. In this context, traditional game practitioners and knowledge bearers from different communities across the country held their first major meeting in 2007 to discuss current challenges for the traditional games and the safeguarding needs. The participants identified many challenges but agreed that some of them were very urgent: the first being the loss of knowledge about the traditional games and the second being the lack of interest among the younger generation to play the games. After long discussions and deliberations, the participants identified several safeguarding needs that shaped the Nomad Games: Rediscovering Heritage programme. The traditional game practitioners reached a consensus about the need to prioritize documentation and identification of traditional games in different parts of the country. These goals were prioritized because many people knowledgeable about traditional games were older and there was a real threat of losing their knowledge about traditional games unless it was documented.
Country
KyrgyzstanOther heritage elements in Kyrgyzstan
Representative List · Inscribed 2025Traditional knowledge and skills in making Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Karakalpak yurts (Turkic nomadic dwellings)Representative List · Inscribed 2025Traditional knowledge and cultural contexts of making Maksym, a traditional Kyrgyz beverageRepresentative List · Inscribed 2024Nawrouz, Novruz, Nowrouz, Nowrouz, Nawrouz, Nauryz, Nooruz, Nowruz, Navruz, Nevruz, Nowruz, NavruzRepresentative List · Inscribed 2023Elechek, Kyrgyz female headwear: traditional knowledge and ritualsRepresentative List · Inscribed 2023Midwifery: knowledge, skills and practicesRepresentative List · Inscribed 2022Telling tradition of Nasreddin Hodja/ Molla Nesreddin/ Molla Ependi/ Apendi/ Afendi Kozhanasyr Anecdotes
More Register of Good Safeguarding Practices elements
Inscribed 2025Safeguarding programme for Al Sadu, traditional weaving skills in the United Arab EmiratesInscribed 2022Al Sadu Educational Programme: Train the trainers in the art of weavingInscribed 2024Oman Youth Sail Training Ship (Safinat Shabab Oman) programme for peace and sustainable cultural dialogueInscribed 2021National programme to safeguard the traditional art of calligraphy in IranInscribed 2017Margilan Crafts Development Centre, safeguarding of the atlas and adras making traditional technologies
Also inscribed in 2021
- Falconry, a living human heritage
- Traditional craft skills and arts of Al-Naoor
- Bakhshi art
- Fjiri
- Durga Puja in Kolkata
- The art of embroidery in Palestine, practices, skills, knowledge and rituals
Data Source: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage · UNESCO listing