The Committee

1. Takes note that Gabon, Cameroon and Congo have nominated Mvet Oyeng, musical art, practices and skills associated with the Ekang community (No. 02253) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

Mvet Oyeng is a cultural tradition that is practised by the Ekang community. It entails the singing of a series of epic stories, accompanied by dancing and the playing of a traditional stringed instrument. The audience actively participates in the performance by playing drumsticks or clapping, singing and engaging with the storyteller. The term ‘Mvet Oyeng’ refers to the stories, the storyteller, the instrument, and the musician. There are two forms of Mvet Oyeng: sacred and popular. The sacred form is used during important events and follows a strict initiation process for transmission, whereas the popular form is more flexible and is performed during public celebrations and modern shows.

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:   Mvet Oyeng involves different roles, which vary according to the form and include the performers, the sponsors who organize events, and the craftspeople who make the instruments. The practice is passed on informally through ritual and hands-on learning. Women can be storytellers, particularly in the popular form, but do not typically make or play the instrument. Mvet Oyeng contributes to the transmission of local history, language and community values and fosters respect, justice, cooperation and peace. It also promotes conflict resolution, strengthens social bonds, and helps preserve the community’s identity and shared memory.

R.2:   The nomination file clearly demonstrates that the element contributes to various aspects of sustainable development, with a particular emphasis on promoting food security, health care, gender equality, peace and social cohesion, and environmental sustainability. It involves performing agrarian rites and helping to cure various mental, physical and spiritual ailments and to protect populations from certain epidemics. Many women are encouraged to become Mvet musicians and storytellers, and all members of the community are encouraged to strengthening inclusion, solidarity and openness towards others. , With regard to environmental conservation, the element promotes the use of biodegradable materials, avoiding the production of persistent waste, and the harvesting of raffia palm, contributing to keeping ecosystems in balance.

R.3:   The submitting States Parties have incorporated safeguarding measures for Mvet Oyeng into their plans and policies. Safeguarding measures are designed in three basic areas: awareness-raising, promotion and enhancement; revitalization and the transmission of knowledge and practices; and identification, documentation and research. Some measures are already under way and will be strengthened, while others are being developed as part of this nomination process. The nomination file provides evidence on the communities’ participation in the preparation and implementation of the safeguarding plan. 

R.4: The States Parties have demonstrated the communities’ participation in the nomination process since 2008, when Mvet Oyeng practitioners approached the International Centre for Bantu Civilisations to promote a regional initiative on Mvet that would bring together all States practising the element. Community involvement in the nomination process is well documented for all three countries. The nomination file shows consistent and structured participation over time (2008–2024), including local, national and subregional workshops. Free, prior and informed consent is documented through written and audiovisual records.

3. 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 Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

R.5:   The element was included in the National Register of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Gabon in 2019, the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Cameroon in 2020, and the Register of Inventory Results of Congo in 2024. These inventories are maintained by the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Gabon, the Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Cameroon, and the General Directorate of Heritage and Archives in Congo. The communities concerned have played an active role at all stages of these inventories. The frequency of updating them has been discussed under the process of being regulated in Gabon and Congo.

4. Decides to inscribe Mvet Oyeng, musical art, practices and skills associated with the Ekang community on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity;
5. Commends the States Parties for submitting an element that fosters the value of music therapy and sustainable development, functioning as a medium for free expression and promoting tolerance, solidarity, compassion and respect for others. The practice of Mvet Oyeng is based on respect for nature and does not contribute to biodiversity loss.