The Committee
- Takes note that Azerbaijan has nominated Tandir craftsmanship and bread baking in Azerbaijan (No. 02120) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
Tandirs are traditional pottery ovens used in Azerbaijan to make bread and sometimes meat and poultry. Today, masters mostly craft two types of tandirs: surface and underground ovens. The bread baked in tandirs is considered a key to longevity and is an integral part of the daily diets of the people of Azerbaijan. It can be stored for a long time and eaten over several days. Tandirs and bread baking are believed to promote solidarity. They embrace a large number of oral traditions, beliefs, rituals, cultural functions and meanings. The knowledge of tandir craftsmanship is transmitted within families through observation and practice. The baking knowledge is also passed on within families through oral communication and instruction. Young women and men from the same families observe, participate in and help with the baking process. Parents eagerly share the knowledge, beliefs and expressions about tandir and bread with their children, teaching them to treat the bread with respect. Baking in tandirs is a sort of ritual that strengthens social bonds and supports family and neighbourhood ties. Traditionally, communities offer bread to children and guests first. People believe that this brings prosperity to the household. Tandir-baked bread is also a source of livelihood.
- 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 involves a set of traditional skills, processes and knowledge related to the crafting and using of traditional pottery ovens known as tandirs which are used in Azerbaijan to make bread and sometimes meat and poultry. The knowledge and skills associated with crafting tandirs and baking bread are passed down through generations, within families and from masters to apprentices. Parents share the knowledge, beliefs and expressions about tandir and bread with their children, teaching them to treat the bread with respect. Local NGOs also play an important role in promoting the transmission of the element. Baking in tandirs is a ritual that strengthens social bonds and supports family and neighbourhood ties. The element embraces a large number of oral traditions, beliefs, rituals, cultural functions and meanings.
R.2: The element contributes to sustainable development by promoting gender equality, as the crafting of tandirs and the bread and food preparation are carried out with the participation of women and men. The element also supports the sustainable use of natural and local resources; the tools and materials used for crafting tandirs and baking bread are not harmful to the environment and can be easily obtained. Moreover, the element is a source of livelihood for families. Communities consider that it contributes to inclusive economic community development, as it is a traditional source of income for craftspeople and bakers. It also supports food security while promoting the proper use of ingredients and traditional baking techniques.
R.3: The nomination file provided clear explanations of the proposed measures and the involvement of the various communities in the planning and implementation process. The safeguarding measures were developed by craftspeople, bakers, and members of local NGOs and associations, with the support of the authorities. A series of local, national and international awareness-raising actions were carried out by the State Party in collaboration with the bearer community. The measures also include promoting the transmission of the element through hands-on practice, as well as the establishment of an association of tandir craftspeople to support extracurricular learning sessions for adolescents and children. Other measures include supporting networking, research and documentation as part of academic programmes, and establishing a network of craftspeople and bakers.
R.4: The nomination process was initiated by members of the Azerbaijan Culinary Association and practitioners of other public unions. A coordination group consisting of bearers and practitioners was formed to support the nomination process and various meetings were conducted. The community concerned reviewed and commented on the nomination and the accompanying video and photos. It also approved the proposed safeguarding measures. The nomination file was revised based on the updated version of the nomination form released in January 2023.
R.5: The element was included in the Register of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Azerbaijan on 24 February 2021. The agency responsible for maintaining and updating the inventory is the Documentation and Inventory Board, established by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The file demonstrates community engagement in the identification, documentation and updating of the element. Information regarding the inventory was included in the State Party’s 2021 periodic report.
- Decides to inscribe Tandir craftsmanship and bread baking in Azerbaijan on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.