The Bureau,
- Recalling Article 23 of the Convention, as well as Chapters I.4, I.7 and I.14 of the Operational Directives relating to International Assistance requests,
- Having examined document LHE/26/21.COM 3.BUR/4 and the request for preparatory assistance no. 02599 submitted by Samoa,
- Takes note that Samoa has requested International Assistance in the amount of US$8,049 to prepare a nomination for Tatau Samoa (traditional Samoan tattooing) to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding:
To be implemented by the Culture, Arts and Heritage Division of the Ministry of Education and Culture, this preparatory assistance request aims to support the nomination of Tatau Samoa (Traditional Samoan Tattooing) to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Tatau Samoa is among the oldest continuous tattooing traditions, transmitted through direct apprenticeship from master artisans. The pe’a (male tatau extending from wait to knees) and malu (female tatau applied to the thighs) carry profound cultural, social and spiritual meaning within the Samoan way of life. The practice encompasses physical technique, ceremonial protocol, oral traditions, cosmological knowledge, and the production of traditional tools. This element is at risk due to a declining pool of active tattoo artisans, disruption to the apprenticeship transmission system, and the impact of globalization and modernization on tattooing processes, methods and ceremonies.
- Decides that, from the information provided in file no. 02599, the request responds as follows to the criteria for granting International Assistance given in paragraphs 10 and 12 of the Operational Directives:
Criterion A.1: The request clearly indicates that communities concerned, including master tattooing artisans (Tufuga Ta Tatau), their family lineages, apprentices, traditional chiefs (matai) and village communities in Upolu and Savai’i, will be broadly involved in the preparation of the nomination file. They will participate in all the project activities, including documenting the element, updating the inventory, and reviewing the nomination file. Two consultation meetings are planned, involving a wide range of stakeholders in the two islands of Samoa to obtain their free, prior and informed consent.
Criterion A.2: The amount requested by the State Party seems appropriate in relation to the proposed activities for the preparation of the nomination file to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
Criterion A.3: The preparatory assistance will support the following main activities: (a) project preparation including identifying the communities concerned; (b) community consultations across the islands of Samoa; (c) production of photos and a video; and (d) elaboration of the nomination file.
Criterion A.4: The requesting State Party is committed to submitting a nomination for the possible inscription of the element on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. The submission is expected by 31 March 2027, for possible inscription by the Committee at its twenty-third session, provided that the nomination can be included in the 2028 cycle, in application of the annual ceiling for the number of nominations and the priority system in force at the time of the submission. Should this deadline not be met, and in accordance with the timetable submitted by the requesting State set out in Form ICH-05, the nomination file should be submitted by the 31 March 2028 at the latest, for possible inscription by the Committee at its twenty-fourth session, provided that the nomination can be included in the 2029 cycle, in application of the annual ceiling for the number of nominations and the priority system in force at the time of the submission.
Criterion A.5: The requesting State Party will contribute 27 per cent (US$3,000) of the total amount of the project for preparatory assistance (US$11,049). Consequently, International Assistance is requested from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the remaining 73 per cent of the total amount of the project.
Criterion A.6: The project is intended to strengthen the capacities of communities and practitioners for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage through the identification, documentation and transmission of Tatau Samoa. Communities will contribute to documenting the element, identifying threats, defining appropriate safeguarding measures, and supporting the transmission of knowledge and skills through apprenticeship. These activities will raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding the element, enhancing its viability.
Criterion A.7: The requesting State Party has not previously received any financial assistance from UNESCO under the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund of the 2003 Convention to implement activities in the field of intangible cultural heritage.
- Approves the request for preparatory assistance from Samoa for the preparation of the nomination for Tatau Samoa (traditional Samoan tattooing) in view of its submission for possible inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, and grants the amount of US$8,049 to the requesting State Party to this end;
- Requests that the Secretariat reach an agreement with the requesting State Party on the technical details of the assistance, paying particular attention to ensuring that the budget and the work plan of the activities to be covered by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund are detailed and specific enough to provide a sufficient justification of all the expenditures;
- Invites the requesting State Party to use Form ICH-05-Report to report on the use of the assistance granted.
