Inventory and promotion of the intangible cultural heritage of the Pygmy populations of Gabon

  • Financial assistance:
    • US$ 24,560 granted in 2015
  • Dates of implementation:
    • 01/09/2015 - 01/12/2017
  • Documents:

Benefitting country(ies): Gabon

Overview:

Having benefited from capacity building activities, Gabon has recognized the need for a safeguarding action towards the intangible cultural heritage of Pygmy populations, for which surveys conducted with these populations highlighted the endangered elements constituent to their identity. The project led to the development of an inventory of the intangible cultural heritage of the Pygmy populations Babongo, Baka and Bakoya.

More specifically, the project allowed for the development of an inventory methodology adapted to the cultural context of the Pygmy communities, the identification of elements of these communities and those requiring urgent safeguarding, and the development of a national action plan for their safeguarding. At the institutional level, the implementation of the project contributed to the operationalization of the Census Bureau in charge of the inventories of intangible cultural heritage since 2012 within the Directorate of Cultural Heritage Conservation (DCPC).

As for the local beneficiary communities, they saw their capacities reinforced with a view to pursuing safeguarding actions and the promotion of their intangible cultural heritage for a better knowledge of their identity and their endogenous development. The groups and associations representing these communities, in particular the Movement of Indigenous Minorities and Pygmies of Gabon (MINAPYGA) and the Association for Good Medical and Environmental Actions (ABAME), were important beneficiaries who capitalized on the results of the project to enrich their activities favouring the development and the recognition of communities through intangible cultural heritage. Finally, the dissemination of the inventory results, notably in brochure format, contributed to a better mutual knowledge of the intangible cultural heritage of the different Pygmy communities, contributing to the reinforcement of mutual respect and intercultural dialogue on a national level.

News and activities:

15/07/2017 - 30/12/2017 – Community-based needs identification for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in Nord-Kivu 01/04/2015 - 31/10/2017 – Strengthening national capacities for effective safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in Asia and the Pacific

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