The Committee
- Takes note that Paraguay has nominated Ñai’ũpo art, ancestral ceramic craftsmanship (No. 02159) for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding:
Ñai’ũpo is a traditional ceramic craft that involves making blackish cooking and eating utensils by hand using natural materials and techniques that have been passed down through the generations. Practiced by communities organised in associations of potters in Itá, Tobatí and Yaguarón, the process is both practical and cultural, bringing together skills, community ties and expressions of identity. It begins with gathering wild clay from nearby swamps, a task that requires deep knowledge of the right materials and environment. Brick dust is then kneaded into the clay. The pottery is shaped using the ‘colombín’ method, where rolls of clay are stacked and smoothed by hand with a special tool called a ‘tacuara’. Pieces are then decorated with natural paint, polished, and fired in wood-burning ovens for several hours.
- 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 ceramic craft is primarily led by women, with older women transmitting the knowledge and skills to their daughters or apprentices through hands-on practice and oral guidance in the Guarani language. The ‘tacuara’ tool, which is passed down from teacher to apprentice, symbolizes the process of knowledge transmission. Ñai’ũpo also helps preserve cooking traditions and tools while highlighting the important role women play in their communities. Men often offer support by gathering materials and transporting finished items.
U.2: The difficulties in ensuring the supply of raw materials and the limited income associated with the practice impact its viability. Only a small number of master ceramists remain, and young people prefer to seek study and employment opportunities outside their towns. As a result, the intergenerational transmission of traditional knowledge associated with the practice is seriously threatened.
U.3: The safeguarding plan focuses on two main objectives: (a) ensuring the intergenerational transmission of the element to guarantee its continued viability; and (b) securing access to raw materials. The safeguard plan is based on a well-established legal and administrative framework and involves the community’s effective participation in the formulation and implementation of the proposed actions.
U.4: The nomination arose from the interest of the community of bearers and was developed as part of a joint effort by public institutions, NGOs and the community itself, based on ongoing dialogue and a sustainable process for the research, the elaboration of the technical file and the safeguarding plan.
- 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.5: The element was included in the Register of National Cultural Heritage Assets in 2021. The National Secretariat of Culture, through the General Office of Cultural Heritage, is responsible for maintaining and updating the inventory on a regular basis to reflect the current status of the art. The community’s involvement in the inventorying process is evident, with significant contributions from both local artisans and national institutions.
- Decides to inscribe Ñai’ũpo art, ancestral ceramic craftsmanship 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).