The Committee

1. Takes note that North Macedonia and Türkiye have nominated Traditional bagpipe (Gayda/Tulum) making and performing (No. 02114) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

The traditional bagpipe (Gayda/Tulum) is a traditional woodwind instrument that is made and performed across the area that includes the Republic of North Macedonia, and the Eastern Black Sea and Thrace regions of Türkiye. In North Macedonia, it consists of four parts: a melody pipe, a drone pipe, a blowing pipe and an air reservoir. In Türkiye, it consists of a melody pipe, a blowing pipe and a body. In both countries, boxwood is used to make the melody pipe. The body is made from goat or sheep skin which is soaked in a mixture of water, corn flour, yoghurt and salt for several days. It is then inflated and hung to dry. Once dry, the parts and pipes are attached. The bagpipe is associated with folk music and is played in events such as weddings and festivals. The related knowledge and skills are transmitted informally, within families and music groups and through apprenticeships. The practice is also transmitted through cultural associations, seminars and workshops, and in music conservatories and educational institutions. The bagpipe has been uniting communities in social activities for centuries. A symbol of cultural identity, it is a key part of many other traditions and customs, including harvesting and transhumance practices. It thus reinforces a sense of belonging while strengthening social ties, solidarity and cooperation.

2. 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 is the making and performing of the traditional melody bagpipe (Gayda/Tulum) which is made out of boxwood. The bearers and practitioners of the element include traditional bagpipe makers, performers and academicians. The related knowledge and skills are transmitted formally in education institutions, seminars and workshops. They are also transmitted within families, cultural institutions, music groups or associations and through master-apprenticeship relations. The element promotes unity of communities and families during social activities. It serves as a symbol of cultural identity, thus reinforcing a sense of belonging, solidarity and cooperation.

R.2:   The element contributes to sustainable development in the areas of social cohesion, quality education, gender equality, economic development and environmental sustainability. It supports the promotion of peace, respect for cultural diversity and social cohesion at national and regional levels. There are many training activities in formal and non-formal education which are open and accessible to everyone without discrimination. Bagpipes can be made and performed by both women and men, thereby promoting gender equality. The element gathers people from different social backgrounds and cultures in various activities and events.

R.3:   Various safeguarding measures have been proposed by both submitting States jointly and separately. The proposed joint measures include field research, exchange programmes and performances. The measurers also include establishing a cultural space for the element and organizing festivals at the international level. In North Macedonia, the inscription of the bagpipe tradition at the national level was initiated by the bearers, practitioners and teachers. The safeguarding plan was proposed and is implemented by practitioners and bearers at different levels. In Türkiye, the State, local administrations and NGOs, in collaboration with bearers and practitioners, have put in place various safeguarding measures, such as workshops, courses, festivals and research. A meeting was also held between 7 and 8 March 2023 with the participation of bearers and practitioners to discuss the preparation of the nomination file and various safeguarding measures were proposed.

R.4:   In North Macedonia, the Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in North Macedonia established a working group to prepare the nomination file, comprising participants from the Institute of folklore, experts and practitioners. In Türkiye, a joint working group was established with the involvement of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MoCT), ICH Board of Rize Province, bearers, practitioners and academics to lead the preparation of the nomination file. Communication took place via email, interviews and meetings, and the collaboration between experts, practitioners and other stakeholders provided the necessary information to complete the compilation of the nomination form. Consent letters from various communities concerned were collected and submitted to support the nomination. There were online meetings between both countries for preparation of the joint nomination file, with the participation of the communities, NGOs and experts.

R.5:   The element was included in the national inventories of the two submitting States in 2020. Details about the inventories were provided in the file, and information about the inventorying processes and updating periodicity for both States was provided in the States’ periodic reports submitted in 2021.

3. Decides to inscribe Traditional bagpipe (Gayda/Tulum) making and performing on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity;
4. Encourages the States Parties, when submitting nomination files in the future, to avoid standardized letters of consent, and to ensure that supplementary materials elaborate on the connectedness of the element’s contributions to sustainable development.