The Committee

1. Takes note that Tunisia has nominated Performing arts among the Twāyef of Ghbonten (No. 01875) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

In Tunisia, the Twāyef are troupes of poet singers affiliated with the Ghbonten tribe. The troupes perform chants or songs wearing white robes and scarlet chechias (caps). They are accompanied by the sounds of the chenna, a traditional drum. Consisting of a leader and a group of male performers, each troupe boasts a unique repertoire of songs that range from sacred to secular, blending humour and solemnity and fostering an atmosphere of camaraderie and spontaneity. The practice dates back to the mid-19^th century, following the abolition of slavery in Tunisia in 1846. In this context of liberation, the community created this form of expression, which had African, Berber and Arab influences. Increasingly popular with the public, the performances have moved beyond traditional settings and are now often seen at festivals and other events. The women assist by preparing the garments and burning incense before the show. Craftspeople make the costumes, including the robes, pants, shoes and chechias. The practice is transmitted informally within families and communities, orally and through observation. It is a festive, intergenerational practice that attracts and engages children through its playful and light-hearted atmosphere. For practising communities, it is an identifying and unifying factor and a means of transmitting social norms.

2. Considers that, from the information included in the file, the nomination satisfies the following criteria for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

R.1:   The element is practiced by poet-singers living in and around the village of El Gosba and in Béni Khedache in the Médenine region. The women assist by preparing the garments and burning incense before the show. Craftspeople make costumes, while the entire Ghbonten tribal community - men, women and young people - supported by a number of cultural associations, work to promote and disseminate the element among its members. The practice is transmitted orally and through observation, within families and communities and from masters to disciples. Today, written and visual materials documented and archived by NGOs are also used to support the element’s transmission. The element is associated with major moments of the human life cycle. For the communities concerned, it reaffirms a sense of identity and highlights common social norms. The element reflects the African dimension of the culture of the communities concerned, and of the Tunisian society in general. The element is valued as a source of artistic creation and a symbol of living culture and memory.

R.2:   The element contributes to gender equality, inclusive economic development, peace and social cohesion, while promoting a sense of cultural belonging. Practitioners earn an income through the performances. Women orchestrate the rituals that punctuate the performance. The element highlights the diversity of intangible cultural heritage and underscores its pivotal role in fostering social cohesion. The accompanying video provided by the submitting State Party features diverse community voices describing the link between the element and various aspects of sustainable development.

R.3:   The Twāyef regularly take part in celebrations organized by regional authorities as a means of promoting its viability. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with troupe leaders, issues professional cards to Twāyef members to facilitate their access to cultural events, loans and subsidies. Other safeguarding measures include research and documentation, as well as government financing to create a digital platform for troupes. During the consultation meetings, the communities identified the following key measures: (a) providing social security coverage, such as pensions and medical care, to bearers; (b) establishing a collective to unite Twāyef in advocating for the interests of practitioners of the element and coordinating the programmes of performances commissioned by official bodies; (c) the establishment of renewable contracts, where the Ministry of Culture subsidises the Twāyef to ensure ongoing income, including during periods of inactivity; and (d) including Twāyef performances in cultural tourism programmes and rewarding projects that make an outstanding contribution to promoting the values of the element.

R.4:   In 2017, five Twāyef troupes working in collaboration with several cultural associations launched an awareness-raising campaign on the values conveyed by the practice and to consider seeking international recognition by UNESCO. Various meetings and training workshops were held with the participation of the Twāyef troupes, the media and other stakeholders. They established a steering committee with fifteen members, eleven of whom were bearers and practitioners and seven of whom were women. Various associations and practitioners provided letters indicating their free, prior and informed consent to the nomination.

R.5:   The element was listed on the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in November 2019. The inventory is maintained by the National Heritage Institute, Department of Inventory and Study of Ethnographic Properties and Contemporary Arts. Information about the inventorying process is included in the periodic report submitted in December 2022.

3. Decides to inscribe Performing arts among the Twāyef of Ghbonten on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.