The Committee
- Takes note that Peru has nominated Sarawja, Aimara music and dance of Moquegua (No. 02071) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
Sarawja, also known as Sarawjatana, is practiced in the valleys of Ticsani and San Felipe, in the Andean region of Moquegua. This annual celebration is held after the Catholic Holy Week, marking the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the harvest. It features a ritual dance performance by dance groups known as ‘ruedas’, or wheels. The dancers move in concentric circles or parallel rows, mimicking the flight patterns of ‘kiwlas’, Andean birds. The women wear a traditional wool garment and move in fast circles, while men accompany their movements by whistling, stomping and playing instruments. The dance groups, which are made up of married couples and their friends, travel from village to village to perform, and are welcomed with local food and products.
- 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: Sarawja songs are performed in Aimara and Spanish, by people of all genders, and are usually accompanied by the ‘charango’, a string instrument. The songs are a means of passing down traditional stories and knowledge. The knowledge and skills related to Sarawja celebrations are transmitted within the family circle, through dance groups and festivities, as well as by cultural institutions. A celebration of life and agricultural cycles, the practice is deeply connected to local culture, history and the land, promoting the exchange of local products while fostering kinship and dialogue among the bearers.
R.2: The submitting State Party consistently identifies how the element contributes to sustainable development and how its inscription would ensure the visibility and awareness of the significance of intangible cultural heritage, encourage dialogue and promote human creativity. The element’s connection with food exchange and artistic expression illustrates its role in strengthening social cohesion, promoting peace and supporting knowledge related to sustainable local livelihoods. Specifically, the inscription would foster recognition of the contributions of the Aimara people to human cultural diversity; in general, it would promote indigenous knowledge associated with agriculture and food security in the contemporary context.
R.4: The nomination provides strong evidence of community involvement throughout the process. The bearers took the initiative to nominate the element, participated in sixteen virtual and in-person meetings, discussed a safeguarding plan and contributed to the creation of the documentary film and the selection of photographs. They also provided their written and audiovisual consent, including through a document with over 400 signatures, to support the nomination.
R.5: The element was included in the Declarations of Cultural Heritage of the Nation in 2010. The Declarations of Cultural Heritage of the Nation correspond to a participatory inventory of intangible cultural heritage elements developed and updated every five years by the Directorate of Intangible Heritage of the Ministry of Culture. Communities, groups and non-governmental organizations participate actively in the inventorying process.
- 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.3: The proposed safeguarding measures are based on an analysis of the problems and challenges associated with the sustainability of the element, conducted with the active involvement of the communities. They are primarily focused on documentation, research and archiving. They also directly involve the communities concerned in order to ensure the visibility and continuity of the element. The safeguarding plan reflects an inclusive approach, and the roles of both the community and the State Party are well-defined.
- Decides to inscribe Sarawja, Aimara music and dance of Moquegua on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity;
- Commends the State Party for the exemplary demonstration of community involvement in the nomination process.