Decision of the Intergovernmental Committee: 20.COM 7.A.2

The Committee

Takes note that Kenya has nominated Mwazindika spiritual dance of the Daida community of Kenya (No. 02297) for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding:

The Mwazindika spiritual dance is a traditional practice used to promote individual and communal well-being amongst the Daida community. It combines dance, music, ritual and storytelling, and is performed during important events such as rites of passage, harvests, coronations and times of crisis like droughts or floods. Its purpose is to bring healing, protection and spiritual balance. The practice begins with a preliminary ritual called ‘Kahua’, where twelve elders and youth climb a sacred hill to inform their ancestors of an upcoming Mwazindika event. Drums are made from a sacred tree, and herbs for cleansing are prepared. A traditional beverage made of honey and sugarcane is offered as libation to the ancestors.

Considers that, from the information included in the file, the nomination satisfies the following criteria for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding:

U.1: The dance features rhythmic drumming, singing and movements that can lead participants into trance states, often used to express or reveal their condition. The dance is primarily performed by women, while men lead the drumming and rituals. The related knowledge and skills are transmitted informally through family and community teaching, regular performances and festivals. The element is believed to promote physical, mental and spiritual well-being. It is also regarded as a means of strengthening social solidarity and warding off disasters and misfortune.

U.2: Interest in the element has been declining due to modern influences, with young people relocating to areas outside of their community and decreasing awareness among leaders. In addition, the scarcity of raw materials and unregulated mining activities as mentioned in the nomination file threaten the continuity of the practice.

U.4: The nomination was prepared in consultation with the community of practitioners and bearers of the ritual. Meetings, workshops, technical visits and consultations were held, resulting in the expression of the community’s free, prior and informed consent.

U.5: The element was added to the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage Elements of Kenyan Communities in 2021. The inventory is managed by the State Department of Culture, the Arts and Heritage of the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage. Following its establishment in 2009, the most recent major updates to the inventory were carried out in 2020, according to the periodic report submitted in 2023. The same report also clarify that capacity-building training has been carried out to ensure that the inventorying process involves communities concerned by the elements included therein.

Further considers that, from the information included in the file and the information provided by the submitting State Party through the dialogue process, the nomination satisfies the following criterion for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding:

U.3: The safeguarding plan involves stakeholders at several levels, including the State, NGOs, research and documentation institutions, local authorities and communities. Responsibilities are identified for each of these parties, and the proposed activities correspond to the objectives, timetable and budget of the safeguarding plan. The ways in which the communities participated in planning the proposed safeguarding plan are clear.

Decides to inscribe Mwazindika spiritual dance of the Daida community of Kenya on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding;
Encourages the submitting State Party to refine the inventorying process to establish a regular periodicity of its update, while ensuring the participation of communities when updating the entry to take into account the viability of the element and any changes to safeguarding needs.