The Committee
- Takes note that Pakistan has nominated Boreendo, Bhorindo: ancient dying folk musical instrument, its melodies, knowledge, and skills (No. 02328) for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding:
The boreendo, or bhorindo, is a traditional musical instrument that is deeply rooted in village life and nature amongst the Thari community. It has a hollow, spherical shape with sound holes, and is made of clay that is sun dried and kiln fired. It is played by men, while women are involved in decorating the instrument with clay paint. The boreendo produces sound when air is blown into it, and its tone can be adjusted by tilting the mouthpiece. Its size affects its sound, and recent changes include extra holes to widen its musical range.
- 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 boreendo is mainly played at winter bonfires, weddings and festivals. The related knowledge and skills were traditionally passed down within certain families through hands-on learning, and some teaching now happens through village schools, guest lectures, cultural festivals and online media. As both a musical and a symbolic instrument, the boreendo encourages community participation and helps preserve local traditions and a connection to nature.
U.2: Only one bearer in the art of making the instrument is set to remain, and fewer young people are learning to play due to limited income opportunities and fading interest, putting the tradition at imminent and serious risk. The practice is also under threat from globalization, changing social trends and limited awareness, among others.
U.3: The safeguarding plan comprises six objectives related to the promotion, dissemination, and strengthening of cultural practices associated with the element, as well as the strengthening of the submitting State Party’s capacities in terms of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. Measures geared toward each objective are planned according to a feasible schedule that takes into account community participation.
U.4: The nomination was initiated by members of the community themselves and developed with the broad participation of various actors involved with the element, including artisans, masters, non-governmental organizations and youth groups, community leaders, and public authorities.
U.5: The element was added to the Provincial Inventory of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Sindh, Pakistan in 2022. The inventory is managed by the Department of Culture, Tourism, Antiquities and Archives of Sindh Provincial Government, in collaboration with the National Heritage and Culture Division of the Federal Government of Pakistan. The development of the inventory benefitted from a training on community-based inventorying, carried out in 2022.
- Decides to inscribe Boreendo, Bhorindo: ancient dying folk musical instrument, its melodies, knowledge, and skills on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding;
- Encourages the submitting State Party to ensure community participation in all stages of safeguarding (initiation, activities, monitoring), to put special focus on the educational measures in the safeguarding of the element, and to encourage other members of community, and young generations to learn about the importance of the element.