Benefitting country(ies): Burundi

Overview:

The preparation of the inventory of the intangible cultural heritage of Burundi is enshrined in the framework of the implementation of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) adopted in 2003 by the UNESCO Member States.

This inventory is intended to identify oral traditions and expressions, poetry, performing arts (such as agasimbo, ingoma, intore, etc.), social practices, rituals and festive events (such as marriage, celebration of the birth of twins, etc.), knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe (medicine, etc.), as well as know-how linked to traditional craftsmanship (metalwork, pottery, basket-making, etc.). This inventory will take into account the cultural specificities of each region of the country.

The different elements of the ICH will be collected by local experts who will be identified on the basis of their training, experience and interest in the fields of anthropology, ethnomusicology, choreography, literature and oral traditions, as well as rural history. The inventory will be made with the participation of practitioners, individuals, families and, generally, at the level of clan entities.

On the basis of the inventoried elements, awareness-raising of the population will be undertaken, particularly at the school and community levels through the organization of promotional activities. In the same vein, radio-TV programmes, followed by debates, will be organized on the basis of the inventory. The promotion of specific elements pertaining to the ICH will be ensured by the Club “génies en herbe” under the supervision of the Department of African Languages and Literatures of the University of Burundi.

The project will be implemented by the Department of African Languages and Literatures of the University of Burundi, under the supervision of the UNESCO Office in Bujumbura and of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.

The main objective of the inventory being to contribute to the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage of Burundi, it will consist of:

1. identifying elements of the intangible cultural heritage and
2. promoting the identified heritage through various channels.

At the end of the project, Burundi will have at its disposal an inventory of the intangible cultural heritage, presented by type of expressions. The inventory will be disseminated through a publication as well as booklets among previously selected beneficiaries.

01/06/2005 - 01/06/2009 – Preparation of the implementation of the 2003 Convention19/12/2008 - 30/04/2009 – Ongota: the Language of the Biraile