The Committee

1. Takes note that Mongolia has nominated Mongol nomad migration and its associated practices (No. 02091) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

Mongolian nomadic culture is a way of life that is rooted in the interdependence between pastures, livestock and herders. To ensure the well-being of the livestock and the sustainability of the herders, proper pasture use is crucial. The families move between pastures, which are categorized based on factors such as amount of grass available, geography, climate and season. This approach has been passed down for generations as a means of giving the earth time to rejuvenate. The head of the household selects the date to relocate, and rituals are performed by all family members to prepare for the migration. This includes cleaning the area, disposing of waste, building carts, and preparing the animals. During the migration phase, the wife dresses in her finest clothes and leads the way to show her gratitude and respect for Mother Nature. Children start learning crucial skills for their nomadic lifestyle from a young age. This includes taking care of and selecting livestock, learning migration routes, and assembling and disassembling yurts. Every member of the family participates. The customs and routines of this nomadic culture facilitate communication and cultivate a strong sense of community amongst the herders. They also promote environmental stewardship, knowledge dissemination and peaceful coexistence.

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 a way of life that is rooted in the interdependence between pastures, livestock and herdsmen. The bearers and practitioners are all families of nomadic herders led by the heads of the households. This practice has been passed down for generations as children are informally taught from a young age through observation and practice. The customs and routines of this nomadic culture facilitates communication and cultivate a strong sense of community amongst the herders. They also promote environmental stewardship, knowledge dissemination and communal co-existence.

R.4:   Herders and representatives from 330 villages in 21 provinces, along with scholars, governmental organizations, local organizations, and NGOs, actively participated in the preparation of the nomination file. Field research and introductory and coordinating meetings were organized for practitioners and communities, who provided their free, prior and informed consent in writing. A total of 17,200 herder families living in 35 villages of 15 provinces gave their consent. It is noted that the letters of consent were signed off by governors of provinces on behalf of their communities, and the file could have benefited from letters of consent or other materials that directly reflected the consent and views of the communities.

R.5:   The element is listed on the National Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mongolia, which is maintained by the National Centre for Cultural Heritage. The inventory is updated annually in consultation with cultural agencies, relevant communities and stakeholders. The State Integrated Database on Cultural Heritage is also updated with any new information. The state administration organization in charge of cultural affairs works with provincial and city governors to develop intangible cultural heritage inventories. Inventorying activities are conducted in collaboration with communities and adhere to a set of guidelines. The periodic report submitted in 2017 includes information on the inventorying process.

3. 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 criteria for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

R.2:   Indigenous knowledge used in the Mongolian nomadic culture centres on land rotation to restore the capacity of pastures. It uses innovative environmental consideration, resource allocation and management which aligns with communal needs. The rotation and shift to pastures with high quality grass supports livestock wellbeing, thereby contributing to food security. A third of Mongolia’s population are pastoralists who derive essential resources and cashmere from their livestock. This significantly contributes to inclusive economic development. Regardless of age and gender, everyone participates in the migration activities and there are gender specific roles that are essential in the Mongolian nomadic communities thereby contributing to aspects of gender equality. The element promotes respect for elders, conflict resolution mechanisms, knowledge sharing, interpersonal communication and avoidance of confrontational behaviour as a way of contributing to peaceful co-existence and social cohesion.

R.3:   Using a holistic approach, the government of Mongolia established Vision 2050 to safeguard and disseminate the knowledge and practices associated with the nomad migration and to create the National Institute of Nomadic Civilization in the country’s five regions. In 2022, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists with the support of 102 countries based on a proposal from Mongolia. Other safeguarding measures proposed include improving the legislative environment by submitting a proposal for the law on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage, conducting inventorying and research activities, and documenting the geographic specificities and living traditions of each ethnic group in the five regions of Mongolia. Practitioners will be supported through a reward system for older herders who transmit traditional knowledge and practices to younger herders. The role of the community in the planning and implementation of the safeguarding measures was explained during the dialogue process.

4. Decides to inscribe Mongol nomad migration and its associated practices on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.