The Committee
- Takes note that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has nominated Joropo in Venezuela (No. 02092) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
Joropo is a lively festive tradition resulting from the encounter between Indigenous People, Africans and Europeans. Its practice varies according to the regions: East, Guayana, The Andes, West Central, Central and The Plains. It combines music, poetry, singing and dancing, and involves various instruments such as the harp, cuatro, maracas, violin and accordion. The songs often tell stories about love, nature, humour and daily life. Joropo music is played all year round, both spontaneously and during planned events, and is common at family celebrations, public gatherings, and religious or cultural festivals. There is a corresponding partner dance where a man and woman hold each other at a certain distance, starting in a waltz position, and follow specific steps and movements.
- 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: Joropo parties can last for several days and involve people of all ages. In some places, men typically sing and play the instruments while women dance, whereas in other communities everyone participates equally. Craftspeople such as instrument makers, composers, dressmakers and cooks also support the festivities. Knowledge about Joropo is passed down mainly through oral teaching, observation and imitation. Children often attend Joropo schools to learn the music, dance, traditional clothing and values connected to the tradition. A source of identity and pride, Joropo strengthens family and community bonds through shared celebration, music, dance and food.
R.2: As an inclusive practice that is widespread among numerous families from diverse ethnic backgrounds and with different languages and traditions, joropo parties welcome people of all genders and ages, promoting their creativity and artistic development. As such, the element illustrates the importance of intangible cultural heritage as a vehicle for dialogue, promoting cultural diversity as a whole.
R.3: Based on a collective process to identify threats to the viability of the element, the bearers, communities and government institutions concerns have adopted a set of safeguarding measures structured around five lines of action: (a) transmission of values; (b) community research and educational programmes; (c) organizational development; (d) promotion and dissemination; and (e) musical, literary and dance training. The proposed measures are the constant search for balance between centralization and decentralization in a complex cultural and geographical context.
R.4: The nomination process involved intensive ethnographic research and documentation, as well as workshops aimed at strengthening capacities around intangible cultural heritage, held in multiple regions. The process also involved collecting registration forms; obtaining the free, prior and informed consent of the communities, groups and individuals concerned; and getting community validation for the submission of the nomination.
R.5: The element was included in the National Inventory of Venezuela’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2019. The inventory is maintained by the Institute of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture and is updated every three years with community participation.
- Decides to inscribe Joropo in Venezuela on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.