The Committee
- Takes note that Zambia has nominated Mangwengwe dance (No. 01855) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
The Mangwengwe is a traditional dance that is performed by the Mambwe and Namwanga people of Zambia. Dating to pre-colonial times, it is characterized by circular movements of the shoulders and sometimes waist. The performance involves a lead singer or dancer, supporting singers and dancers, hand-clappers and musicians. The rhythm is set by the rubbing of wooden stools against the bottoms of clay pots. Most of the singing, dancing and clapping is performed by women, with men occasionally participating on special occasions. Practitioners compose their own songs, which generally describe everyday life, the land, leaders, and current events. The Mangwengwe dance is reserved for important events such as weddings, funerals and traditional ceremonies. Notably, it is the only dance performed at the funeral and burial of a chief. It is also featured in political gatherings to praise or critique political and civic leaders and to communicate their challenges and successes.
- 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 Mangwengwe dance is primarily carried out by women and girls, while men occasionally participate in singing and dancing during special occasions. The transmission of knowledge and skills related to the element involves various methods, including through performances, observations and learning in schools. Mangwengwe is a central cultural tradition, reserved for weddings, funerals, and traditional ceremonies, including at the funeral and the burial of a chief. The element is also featured during political gatherings. Over time, the dance has evolved to incorporate historical and contemporary themes. In addition, the dance fosters unity and provides practitioners with a sense of identity and belonging. The Mangwengwe dance has universal appeal, welcoming anyone who wishes to partake, irrespective of age or background.
R.2: The Mangwengwe dance fosters a sense of belonging and social cohesion among community members, enhancing social bonds. Gender equality is promoted through the involvement of both men and women in the dance. Although the dance itself may not directly stimulate economic development, it attracts tourists and visitors and promotes the sale of traditional crafts, boosting local economies. Additionally, it is used as a tool for cultural education in schools, helping students to learn about their own heritage. The use of natural and sustainable materials in the performance also underscores environmental sustainability efforts.
R.4: Community representatives and various NGOs actively participated in meetings to express their support for inscription of the element. The State Party consulted various stakeholders including art and heritage institutions, the National Arts Council of Zambia, the National Museums Board, and the National Heritage Conservation Commission. Permission and consent were obtained from traditional leaders in Mbala and Nakonde for the inventorying and preparation of the nomination file. Throughout the inventorying and nomination process, meetings were held with traditional leaders, communities, group leaders and custodians. All of these meetings involved spreading awareness of and providing training on the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, inventorying processes, and the development and implementation of safeguarding measures. A number of consent forms from community chiefs and traditional healers are provided.
R.5: The element is listed on various inventories at the district, provincial and national levels. The organizations responsible for updating and maintaining the inventories are: (a) the Ministry of Tourism and Arts, Department of Arts and Culture; (b) the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs; (c) the Moto Moto Museum; and (d) the Peace Corps. Information about the inventorying process is included in the periodic report which was submitted in 2015. An additional report submitted in 2023 also provides detailed information on the inventorying process.
- Further considers that, from the information included in the file and the information provided by the submitting State through the dialogue process, the nomination satisfies the following criterion for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
R.3: The submitting State has provided human resources – such as district cultural affairs officers and museum officers – to provide technical support to custodians for the implementation of the safeguarding measures. The file explains the efforts of the National Museum in conducting periodic and annual outreach programmes to support dance groups and contribute to the documentation and inventorying of the element. The creation of Intangible Cultural Heritage Committees at the national, provincial and district levels will support the safeguarding efforts of the custodians and practitioners of the element, as well as the implementation of the proposed measures. The communities, groups and individuals concerned were involved in the planning of the proposed safeguarding measures through meetings with traditional leaders, dance group leaders, and village stakeholders, among others. The nomination file describes communities’ traditional systems and the role of the traditional leaders as custodians of the element.
- Decides to inscribe Mangwengwe dance on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.