The Committee,

1. Recalling the initial inscription of ‘Cultural practices and expressions linked to the balafon of the Senufo communities of Mali and Burkina Faso’ (submitted by Mali, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire), while referring the nomination to Côte d’Ivoire, by the sixth session of the Committee in 2011 (Decision 6.COM 13.29), and the inscription on an extended basis of ‘Cultural practices and expressions linked to the balafon of the Senufo communities of Mali, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire’ by the seventh session of the Committee in 2012 to include Côte d’Ivoire (Decision 7.COM 11.21) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,
2. Takes note that Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Indonesia have nominated Cultural practices and expressions linked to Balafon and Kolintang in Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Indonesia (No. 02131) for inscription, on an extended basis to include Indonesia, on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

The balafon (in Mali, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire) and kolintang (in Indonesia) refer to a set of wooden xylophones of different lengths. The Indonesian and West African instruments share similarities in material, shapes, keys, functions, transmission processes and values. They are believed to represent mutual respect and tolerance and promote unity and peaceful and harmonious living. In Indonesia, the kolintang is played during religious ceremonies and rituals and is associated with philosophical, ethical and aesthetic values that establish ties between people of different backgrounds and with nature. The instrument is also viewed as a means of addressing mental and physical health ailments. To its bearers and practitioners, kolintang promotes dialogue and understanding, and its existence is a symbol of respect for cultural diversity. Kolintang musicians, craftspeople, researchers and academics play an important role in transmitting the practice by raising awareness of the importance of kolintang heritage, ensuring the instrument’s sustainability and significance, and transmitting the related knowledge and skills broadly, including to youth, women and girls, and people in vulnerable and marginalized situations. The element is also transmitted through activities across different sectors, including education, culture, research and health. It promotes creativity while supporting diversity, inclusion and social cohesion.

3. 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 balafon (in Mali, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire) and kolintang (in Indonesia) refer to a set of wooden xylophones of different lengths. In Indonesia, kolintang bearers and practitioners include musicians, craftspeople, researchers and academics who play an important role in transmitting the practice by raising awareness of the importance of kolintang heritage, ensuring the instrument’s sustainability and significance. The element is also accessible and inclusive to stakeholders, including to youth, women and girls, and people in vulnerable situations and disadvantaged groups. The element is also transmitted through activities across different sectors, including education, culture, research and health. It promotes creativity while supporting diversity, inclusion and social cohesion. In addition, kolintang promotes dialogue and understanding, and is a symbol of respect for cultural diversity.

R.2:   Information contained under R.2 and other sections of the nomination file indicate how the element contributes to various aspects of sustainable development. The extension will inspire communities in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Indonesia to rediscover the value of their living heritage and to ensure the viability and conservation of the balafon and kolintang through joint research. The extension is also expected to increase interest in and awareness of communities in the four countries, thus promoting intercultural dialogue, fostering mutual respect, and contributing to social cohesion and peace. It will also increase awareness of the value of intangible cultural heritage in countries in Africa and Asia. The element could be a potent catalyst for change given its ability to transcend geographic, cultural and language barriers. The extension of the file to include Indonesia is a positive example of how living heritage can bring together people of different ethnicities, religious beliefs, languages and countries.

R.3:   The nomination file provides information about the safeguarding measures and the involvement of the communities in the submitting country. Communities, groups and individuals in various provinces in Indonesia participated in meetings and prepared the action plans. They also disseminated information about the element, conducted research and collected data. They made a documentary film, established inventory programmes in collaboration with the government, and built partnerships with communities in Mali, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire. Other safeguarding measures include establishing a monitoring and evaluation system and drafting periodic reports with the broad participation of the communities, groups and individuals concerned.

R.4:   The Indonesian kolintang community was involved in the nomination process through a series of remote meetings. During the consultation and preparation of the nomination files, the communities of both cultural instruments exchanged knowledge and provided information to meet the requirements for the extension. The States Parties and communities of the original nomination file gave their consent to the kolintang community and the Republic of Indonesia to submit the nomination file. Communities in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Mali were informed of Indonesia’s intention to include kolintang in the file during national meetings and the International Triangle Balafon Festival.

R.5:   Kolintang was included in the Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritage inventory in 2021. The inventory is maintained by the Directorate of Cultural Protection, Indonesia, the Provincial Office of Cultural Value Preservation of North Sulawesi at Manado and the Mandatory Preservation Community of Kolintang. The relevant information concerning the updating and periodicity of the inventory, as well as the participation of the communities, groups and NGOs concerned, was included in the periodic report submitted in 2013.

4. Decides to inscribe Cultural practices and expressions linked to Balafon and Kolintang in Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Indonesia on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity;
5. Further takes note that the present nomination is an inscription on an extended basis which incorporates and replaces ‘Cultural practices and expressions linked to the balafon of the Senufo communities of Mali, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire’ (No. 00849), previously inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012;
6. Commends the States Parties for a well-prepared file that can serve as a good example for multinational files, reflecting a model of collaboration between diverse countries from two Electoral Groups.