Unesco intangible cultural heritage list 2020: From camel racing to competitive grass mowing

There are now more than 460 items included on the list

Friday 18 December 2020 12:45 GMT

Camel racing has been inscribed in the Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage list (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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Unesco has revealed the new additions to its intangible cultural heritage list for 2020.

The 32 new entries span a broad range of “cultures”, with camel racing, competitive grass mowing, sauna culture, Christmas tree decoration production, pomegranate “festivities” and couscous all making the cut.

An intangible cultural heritage is a practice, representation, expression, knowledge, or skill considered by Unesco to be part of a place's cultural heritage.

The organisation has inscribed a total of 460 items onto the list since it first began.

Alongside selecting new examples each year, Unesco also identifies practices that are in need of urgent safeguarding.

Three additions met the criteria this year: Aixan /Gâna/ōb ǂans tsî //Khasigu, ancestral musical sound knowledge and skills from Namibia; handmade weaving in Upper Egypt; and traditional knowledge and techniques associated with Pasto Varnish mopa-mopa of Putumayo and Nariño in Colombia.

Aixan /Gâna/ōb ǂans tsî //Khasigu was allocated $99,239 from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for its protection.

The addition of couscous to the list got a special mention after Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Mauritania all worked together on the entry.

It was hailed as an “example of international cooperation.”

Singapore also garnered its first entry on the list with its Hawker culture, where street food stalls comprising Chinese, Malay, Indian and other cultures come together.

Singaporean cuisine: The world's first Michelin-starred hawker will be trading in London's Kings Cross for three days

“Hawker Culture holds a special place in the hearts of Singaporeans from all walks of life, and is a living heritage that reflects our everyday experience and identity as a multicultural society,” said Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth.

“The nomination journey has also brought Singaporeans closer together and instilled a greater sense of pride for our Hawker Culture.”

Here’s the full list.