The Committee
- Recalling the initial inscription of ‘Traditional knowledge and skills in making Kyrgyz and Kazakh yurts (Turkic nomadic dwellings)’ (submitted by Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the ninth session of the Committee in 2014 (Decision COM 10.24),
- Takes note that Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have nominated Traditional knowledge and skills in making Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Karakalpak yurts (Turkic nomadic dwellings) (No. 02284) for inscription, on an extended basis to include Uzbekistan, on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
The yurt is a nomadic dwelling with a collapsible wooden circular frame covered with felt and braided with ropes. It can be easily assembled and dismantled within a short period of time. Yurts are made from natural and renewable raw materials. Men and their apprentices make the wooden frames by hand, along with wooden, leather, bone and metal details. Women make the interior decorations and exterior coverings, which are ornamented with organic or geometric patterns. As a rule, they work in community-based groups supervised by experienced women artisans, and employ weaving, spinning, braiding, felting, embroidering, sewing and other traditional techniques.
- 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: Related knowledge and skills are transmitted within families or from teachers to apprentices. The practice is also transmitted by community elders, during various cultural events (exhibitions, festivals and workshops) and through the media. Yurt creation fosters common human values, cooperation and creativity. All festivities, ceremonies, births, weddings and funeral rituals are held in yurts, which are kept within the family and passed from parents to children as a sacred family relic. As such, the yurt remains a symbol of family history that is fundamental to the identity of the practising communities. It also contributes to social cohesion as well as to respect for cultural diversity and nature.
R.2: The extension is supported by evidence of its contribution to ensuring the visibility of intangible cultural heritage and awareness of its importance at the local, national and international levels. The nomination encourages dialogue on cultural diversity and instils a sense of pride in cultural heritage among people, as the element can be recognized as a shared legacy among brotherly peoples and foster social cohesion. The element contributes to sustainable development by promoting eco-friendly practices and local economies, reinforcing the interconnectedness of cultural heritage and sustainable practices. Its inscription would highlight the shared human experience embedded in nomadic lifestyles.
R.3: The joining State Party has implemented and continues to pursue several initiatives aimed at safeguarding, protecting and promoting the element, including education, research, training, competitions, exhibitions and media coverage. Future measures are designed to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, identify and collect information related to the element, and plant trees used in the construction and decoration of the yurts. The proposed safeguarding measures will be implemented by governmental and non-governmental organizations, communities, groups and individual masters.
R.4: The nomination has been prepared with the widest possible participation of the communities, groups and individuals concerned. Newly joining communities have been actively engaged throughout the process, from initial discussions to the final submission of the nomination. They gathered data, proposed safeguarding measures, organized local meetings on a voluntary basis and with their own resources, and provided their free, prior and informed consent. Researchers collaborated in preparing the documents for the nomination, which reflects an attitude of cooperation capable of significantly benefiting the safeguarding of the element.
R.5: The element was included in the National List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2022. The inventory is maintained by the Scientific-Research Institute of Culturology and Intangible Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The updates of inventory are carried out with community participation. Information on inventory periodic updates and the inventorying process is available in the periodic report.
- Decides to inscribe Traditional knowledge and skills in making Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Karakalpak yurts (Turkic nomadic dwellings) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, taking note that the present inscription incorporates and replaces ‘Traditional knowledge and skills in making Kyrgyz and Kazakh yurts (Turkic nomadic dwellings)’ (No. 00998), previously inscribed in 2014;
- Commends the States Parties for the coordinated work undertaken, involving local administrations and communities in each country to promote a common element that is part of the identity of each and every one of them.