The Committee
- Takes note that Ghana has nominated Highlife music and dance (No. 02141) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
Highlife music and dance is a popular form of musical expression and storytelling known for its lively rhythms, lyrics and strong connection to everyday life. It features a mix of instruments, including guitars, horns, drums, xylophones and percussion. The music is often built around call-and-response singing, with the lead singer echoed by a chorus of backup singers, and is performed in many local languages, as well as in English and Pidgin. It is performed during weddings, funerals, festivals and naming ceremonies, often with lyrics that reflect current social issues such as health, education, relationships and social norms and challenges.
- 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: There are three main styles of Highlife — Dance Band, Guitar Band and Burger. The band leaders coordinate the performances and shows, creating networks and supervising the training of new members. People of all genders and backgrounds can be leaders or performers. Highlife music and dance is transmitted through initiation and apprenticeship (including in bands) and within families. It is also passed on formally in universities. As a means of communication and a reflection of cultural identity, Highlife music encourages positive values and expression. It remains a vibrant part of community life, offering entertainment and education in a shared cultural space.
R.2: The nomination file asserts the element’s contribution to various aspects of sustainable development, with a particular emphasis on promoting health care, through education and behavioural change communication addressing healthcare issues such as COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS, as well as health advocacy. The element also contributes to gender equality, through women’s leadership, and advocacy against gender-based violence. Furthermore, it helps build and maintain peace and social cohesion, through conflict resolution and peaceful coexistence. A particularly positive aspect is the presentation of specific examples of how sustainable development issues are being implemented.
R.3: The safeguarding of the element is supported by robust legal, institutional and cultural measures. These safeguarding measures include community events, media groups, the Ghana Music Awards, and the integration of the element into formal education. Constitutional and copyright protections ensure artists’ rights, while organizations like Musicians Union of Ghana and academic institutions preserve and transmit knowledge. The active participation of communities, practitioners and civil society organizations in the planning and implementation of activities is clearly demonstrated in the nomination file. The involvement of musicians’ associations, academic institutions, archives and the media underscores the participatory approach taken to safeguarding.
R.4: The file demonstrates community participation and consent in the nomination process, which dates back to 2022. Highlife stakeholders initiated the nomination of the element for inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Meetings were held with researchers, experts, musicians, producers and other stakeholders to gather essential information on Highlife music in Ghana through documents, discussions and interviews. The process reflects a participatory approach, with consent freely given by those concerned. The engagement of communities and individuals in the identification and preparation process fosters a shared sense of ownership and responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the element.
R.5: The element was registered in the National Register of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ghana in 2021. This inventory is maintained by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and the National Folklore Board, and its updates are provided quarterly. The inclusion and the update of an element on the register require the involvement of practicing communities
- Decides to inscribe Highlife music and dance on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.