The Bureau,
- Recalling Article 23 of the Convention as well as Chapter I.4 of the Operational Directives relating to the eligibility and selection criteria of International Assistance requests;
- Having examined Document LHE/19/14.COM 3.BUR/1 as well as preparatory assistance request no. 01583, submitted by Mali;
- Takes note that Mali has requested International Assistance in the amount of US$9,900 to prepare for the nomination of Cultural practices and expressions related to the ‘M’bolon’, a traditional musical percussion instrument to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding:
The cultural practices and expressions related to the M’bolon, encompass rituals, knowledge and know-how associated with the M’bolon, a traditional percussion musical instrument practised by Bambara, Senoufo, Minianka and Malinké communities, notably in the regions of Koulikoro and Sikasso in Southern Mali. Despite the commitment of the communities concerned to safeguarding and promoting the element, its viability is currently threatened by modern practices, the lack of young practitioners and the influence of religion, and its transmission to future generations remains uncertain. The National Directorate of Cultural Heritage is responsible for preparing the nomination file in close collaboration with tradition bearers and practitioners, customary authorities, community leaders, women's and youth associations. The process is expected to lead to the submission of a nomination by 31 March 2020, for possible inscription of the element on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2021.
- Decides that, from the information provided in file no. 01583, the request responds as follows to the criteria for granting International Assistance set out in Paragraphs 10 and 12 of the Operational Directives:
Criterion A.1: The request indicates that the communities concerned were consulted during the preparation of the request through working sessions and exchanges held in April and June 2018, during which community members provided their consent to the nomination of the element to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Community members will also be involved in the identification, definition and documentation of the cultural practices and expressions associated with the M'bolon.
Criterion A.2: The amount requested by the State Party seems appropriate in relation to the activities proposed for the preparation of the nomination to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
Criterion A.3: Although more detailed information on the articulation between the proposed activities would have clarified the implementation process foreseen by the State Party, the activities proposed, including research, awareness-raising and data collection initiatives, are relevant and feasible given the timeframe proposed.
Criterion A.4: Through this request, the State Party commits to submitting a nomination for possible inscription of the element on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2021 (within the submission deadline of 31 March 2020). The direct involvement of community members in past, present and future safeguarding measures is expected to improve the viability of the element and should therefore contribute to medium-term results.
Criterion A.5: The requesting State will share 17 per cent of the overall budget of the project for which International Assistance is requested from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund.
Criterion A.6: As community members will be directly involved in the definition and documentation of the element, their capacities are expected to be reinforced. In addition, the State Party plans to strengthen the capacities of communities and of the National Directorate of Cultural Heritage to safeguard intangible cultural heritage through short training sessions focusing on the use of inventory forms.
Criterion A.7: Mali has benefitted from International Assistance from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund three times, for the projects entitled ‘Inventory of intangible cultural heritage in Mali with a view to its urgent safeguarding’ (file no. 01026, 2013–2016, US$307,307) and ‘Implementation of proposed safeguarding measures for the Sanké mon, collective fishing rite of the Sanké’ (file no. 00333, 2010–2011, US$24,000), as well as for the preparation of the nomination of ‘Secret society of Korèdugaw, the rite of wisdom, in Mali’ to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding (file no. 00484, 2009–2010, US$8,500). The work stipulated by the contracts related to these projects was carried out in compliance with UNESCO’s regulations and all the projects have been completed.
- Approves the International Assistance request from Mali for the preparation of the nomination of Cultural practices and expressions related to the ‘M’bolon, a traditional percussion musical instrument to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and grants an amount of US$9,900 to the State Party to this end;
- Requests that the Secretariat reach an agreement with the State Party on the technical details of the preparatory assistance, including a detailed budget;
- Invites the State Party to use Form ICH-05-Report when reporting on the use of the assistance.