The Committee
- Takes note that Switzerland has nominated Yodelling (No. 02287) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
Yodelling is a vocal technique involving the use of different vocal registers, such as chest and head voices, to create melodies with meaningless syllables instead of words. The syllables chosen are often determined by the local dialect. There are two types of yodelling: natural and sung. Natural yodelling consists of wordless melodies that vary by region and dialect and are passed down orally. Sung yodelling includes verses with a yodel chorus, often centred on themes like nature and daily life. Yodelling can be performed by individuals, small groups or choirs, and sometimes with instruments like the accordion. It features rich harmonics and is often performed at concerts, parties and competitions, with participants typically wearing traditional regional costumes.
- 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: The practice, associated with agricultural events such as harvest festivals and alpine traditions, is performed by people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. Yodelling knowledge and skills are passed down orally, through sheet music, and via choirs and online platforms. Yodelling is also taught in group or individual lessons by private teachers and music schools. It promotes cultural participation, emotional expression and well-being, uniting communities and providing a shared sense of identity.
R.2: The submitting State Party consistently demonstrates how the element contributes to sustainable development and how its inscription would ensure the visibility and awareness of the importance of intangible cultural heritage. It contributes to health, including physical and mental well-being; quality education, by developing community and professional skills; and gender equality, considering the predominance of women in the transmission of the element. It also fosters peace and social cohesion, by strengthening a sense of belonging and creating opportunities for integration and collaboration. In addition, the element is embedded into community life and recognized as a significant part of the national identity. Internationally, it can raise awareness of the richness of vocal traditions and their social significance.
R.3: Current and future safeguarding measures aimed at maintaining the element’s viability are elaborated. They cover: (a) coordination and governance, providing a means of uniting numerous individuals and communities in a forum; (b) transmission and training, both in and outside schools; (c) the promotion of new generations of yodellers of all ages, stimulating careers and professional organizations; (d) communication and awareness-raising, disseminating the element with the help of new communication strategies; and (e) documentation, archives and research, through collaborative networks. The measures are feasible and involve the direct participation of bearers of the tradition.
R.4: From 2012, a process lasting more than ten years was carried out with the involvement and agreement of the community and individuals concerned with the nomination. In 2013, research conducted by a group of experts indicated yodelling as a potential candidate for inscription, which was endorsed by practitioners and partners. Representatives of the bearer communities attended a series of information meetings, debates, and public consultations, which were organized on a regular basis. A support group, representing approximately thirty organizations and individuals, participated in all stages of the nomination process. The drafting group, composed of gender-balanced representatives, included bearers, professionals, researchers and government officials. The collaborative approach ensured that views from urban and rural yodelling traditions, diverse generational groups, and both genders were considered. The result of this lengthy, participatory process is a solid and well-founded nomination.
R.5: The element was added to the List of Living Traditions in Switzerland, maintained by the Federal Office of Culture, in 2012. The inclusion of an element in the inventory requires the consent of groups, and individual practitioners and bearers. The inventory is updated every four years, with the help of liaison officers in the cantons, relevant authorities, non-governmental organizations and local communities.
- Decides to inscribe Yodelling on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.