THE government is finalising the National Framework to safeguard the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in Tanzania.
The document, the first of its kind, has been prepared with support from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Assistant Director of Culture in the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports, Ms Julieth Kabyemera, made the revelations in Bagamoyo this week while officiating a two- day session to validate the document.
She conveyed the government’s gratitude to UNESCO adding that once completed the framework will help in inventorying, promotion and protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the country.
Presenting an overview of the framework, the Cultural Officer within the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports in the Mainland as well as a custodian of the UNESCO Convention 2003, Mr Peter Simon, said the protection of ICH belongs to the community.
“The framework must indicate full involvement of the community and explain how the country can collaborate to safeguard cross border intangible cultural elements,” he said.
For his part, Bagamoyo Arts and Cultural Institute Principal Dr Herbert Makoye stressed the need to involve religious leaders to understand the concept of intangible cultural heritage.
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“Clerics of some of the denominations perceive safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage as being closer to the devil than God. Thus, involving them will influence them to safeguard and influence public perception in regard to ICH,” said the official.
Tanzania is a signatory to the UNESCO Convention of 2003 whose goal is to safeguard the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and skills that communities, groups and in some cases, individuals recognise as part of their cultural heritage.
The two days session brought together culture and art stakeholders from the government, private sector, civil society as well as training institutions such as lecturers from the training institutions in mainland and Zanzibar.
