The Committee
- Takes note that Mauritania has nominated The Epic of Samba Gueladio (No. 01692) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
The Epic of Samba Gueladio is a legend in which the hero, Samba Gueladio, the legitimate heir to the throne, was cast aside by his uncle. To regain his throne, he forged alliances wherever he went. For instance, he killed a monster that had been preventing the Moors from fetching water from the river and recovered their cattle from a thieving king. As a reward, the Moors provided Samba Gueladio with the soldiers he needed to retake the throne. At the end of the battle, Samba Gueladio faced his uncle alone in a fight of equals. He overcame his uncle but refrained from killing him. Widely disseminated and accepted as part of the Fouta Toro region’s history and mythology, the epic is passed on through storytelling and song, during community events such as weddings, births and other cultural gatherings. The epic is also declaimed by griots in a poetic style accompanied by music. This popular music enables young people to learn about the region’s history and instils in them ideals such as generosity, perseverance and courage. A reminder of the region’s ancestral values, the Epic of Samba Gueladio is also viewed as a celebration of inter-ethnic alliance founded upon mutual respect.
- 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 Epic of Samba Gueladio is a legend relating to the hero, Samba Gueladio. The bearers and practitioners of the element are the people of Fouta who tell it as a legend and have passed it down from generation to generation. The epic is regarded by the community to be an oral historical document, recounting events that took place at a turning point in the history of the Fouta, and reflects the collective consciousness of the communities. Transmission of the knowledge and skills is through storytelling, song, narration, and during major social events such as weddings, births and cultural gatherings. The element promotes unity, mutual respect and serves as a reminder of the ancestral values of the communities.
R.3: The file describes a number of proposed safeguarding measures to ensure the viability of the element. An information-gathering campaign will be carried out, with a view to compiling all available data on the element and creating audio and visual recordings of the many variants of the epic. National initiatives will be undertaken to extensively present the element to the general public across all regions of the country. These performances will take place at festivals and on performing arts tours. The element will be incorporated in the theatre curricula of primary and secondary schools and universities to raise its visibility among young people. The role of the community in the planning and implementation of the safeguarding measures is elaborated in the file and its supporting documents.
R.4: Following the listing of the element on the National Inventory of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, meetings were held with the communities concerned to raise awareness about the nomination, obtain their consent and involve them in the process. Over the course of these meetings, community members shared their views about ways to promote the element and strengthen its role as a source of income for bearers. Their suggestions formed the basis of the proposed safeguarding measures. The bearers will implement the measures while the culture agencies will supervise and provide technical and financial support for the safeguarding measures.
R.5: The element ‘The Epic of Samba Gueladio’ is included in the National Inventory of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. The inventory which is updated every two years is managed by the National Conservation of Heritage and Culture. The periodic report submitted in 2023 includes information about how the inventory is updated with the participation of the communities concerned.
- 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.2: The nomination file indicates that the element involves indigenous knowledge on food preservation methods, thereby contributing to food security. The Epic of Samba Gueladio is a rich source of stories, moral lessons and traditional knowledge, which enriches educational programs with relevant and stimulating cultural content. In addition, indigenous knowledge on natural resource management, sustainable agricultural practices and ecosystem preservation is promoted through the element. The Epic creates a bond between community members through values such as solidarity, cooperation and mutual aid highlighted in the stories. The element aims at promoting conflict resolution and negotiation, tolerance, inclusiveness and peaceful co-existence. Finally, the inclusion of women role models and collective and all-inclusive economic projects that support local community initiatives contribute to gender equality and inclusive economic growth.
- Decides to inscribe The Epic of Samba Gueladio on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.