The Committee
- Takes note that Sao Tome and Principe has nominated Tchiloli, living theatre of Sao Tome and Principe in the quest of justice (No. 02309) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
Tchiloli is a traditional form of open-air theatre involving actors, musicians and an engaged audience. It is performed in an open space during festivals or public events, typically starting with a ritual led by women. Inspired by a traditional play, the story centres around a murder trial and involves about thirty actors. These actors represent different roles in the justice system: the family of the victim, the emperor and his court, and various legal and public figures. The main scene is a public trial where the emperor’s son is accused of the crime. Despite his royal status, he is judged and convicted, illustrating the value of equality before the law.
- 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: Music plays an important role in the performance, with drums, flutes and maracas marking different scenes. The audience also participates by reacting and sometimes taking part in the action. Various people contribute to Tchiloli, from sponsors to managers, actors, musicians, costume makers and volunteers. The related knowledge and skills are taught in schools and transmitted informally within families and performance groups. Young people learn by observing, practising and slowly taking on roles. This community-based practice brings people together and contributes to the transmission of shared values, such as social justice, equality and peaceful coexistence.
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 importance of intangible cultural heritage. Open to men and women, young and old, and people from all social backgrounds, the element strengthens community bonds and contributes to sustainable development. Besides traditionally playing ritual roles and being responsible for making and maintaining costumes, women can perform all the characters and roles available in Tchiloli, to the point that there are even all-female Tchiloli groups. In addition, this practice generates resources through the sale of derivative products and performance fees. Finally, in the field of education, the element is addressed in elementary school, where it is used as a basis for working on content related to the dynamics of conflict in the context of dramatic representation.
R.3: The safeguarding measures are structured around three areas: (a) awareness-raising, promotion and enhancement, involving the organization of competitions and events and the dissemination of materials about the element; (b) transmission of knowledge and skills related to the practice, with a focus on training young people and expanding the Tchiloli Network; and (c) identification, documentation, and research, involving resource centres, a living museum and scientific symposiums on Tchiloli. The proposed measures will be implemented by the Tchiloli Network with technical, financial and logistical support from the government.
R.4: The submitting State Party has demonstrated the communities' participation in the nomination process since 2015, when the first inventory of Tchiloli was initiated. As this inventory was never completed and all the documentation produced was lost, new studies were launched in late 2023 with the aim of supporting the nomination process. Communities played an active role in the inventorying, file drafting, consultations and validation rounds, and also contributed with signed audiovisual consent.
R.5: The element was included in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2024. This inventory is maintained and updated every five years by the Directorate-General for Culture of Sao Tome and Príncipe of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, in partnership with communities, groups and non-governmental organizations.
- Decides to inscribe Tchiloli, living theatre of Sao Tome and Principe in the quest of justice on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity;
- Commends the State Party for its first inscription and further commends it for its perseverance and commitment to completing the nomination file.