African & diasporan elements on the 2025 Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage list

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From bagpipes to salt-making, UNESCO honours endangered culture passed down through generations​

Safeguarding of the social and cultural practices associated with landships in Barbados
9 December 2025
From salt made by hand on a Philippine island, to ceremonial dances in Kenya and ancient textile traditions in Belarus, the UN cultural agency has added a diverse range of living traditions to its global lists of culture at risk, highlighting both the richness of expression and the urgent need to safeguard heritage.



Unlike monuments or historic sites, “intangible cultural heritage” refers to living practices – traditions, skills, rituals, music, crafts and social customs that communities pass on from one generation to the next.
Through its lists, the UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) works with governments and communities to promote these traditions, strengthen transmission and mobilise support to ensure their survival, particularly where they are threatened by social, economic or environmental change.

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Cuarteto: music, dance and lyrics in the city of Córdoba, Argentina - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Cuarteto is a lively dance music genre that blends local criollo musical styles with influences from European immigrants. Early cuarteto orchestras featured instruments such as the piano, violin, accordion and double bass, with a singer leading the performance. Over time, the genre has...

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The social and cultural traditions associated with landships in Barbados - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Landships are community-based cultural groups known for their social structure, performances and shared traditions. They are organized like naval ships, with members holding ranks such as Lord High Admiral, Commander and Kit Inspector. Members use nautical terms with localized meanings to...

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Christmas Bram and Sambai of Gales Point Manatee, Belize - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Christmas Bram and Sambai are annual cultural celebrations held on 25 and 26 December in the Gales Point Manatee Village, located on a peninsula inside Southern Lagoon on the central coast of Belize. Deeply rooted in African heritage, these festivities promote unity and a shared sense of...

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The practice of Cuban Son - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Son is a traditional music and dance practice that blends singing, instruments, rhythm and movement. It is performed in pairs or groups and combines improvisation with structured patterns. Son includes lyrics drawn from daily life, which are passed down orally, and brings together African and...

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Mvet Oyeng, musical art, practices and skills associated with the Ekang community - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Mvet Oyeng is a cultural tradition that is practised by the Ekang community. It entails the singing of a series of epic stories, accompanied by dancing and the playing of a traditional stringed instrument. The audience actively participates in the performance by playing drumsticks or clapping...

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Guruna, a practice of pastoral, socio-cultural and artistic retreats centered on livestock among the Massa - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Guruna is a cultural retreat that acts as a school of life for members of the Massa community, located on both sides of the Logone River in Chad and Cameroon. The term refers to both the participants and the retreat itself, which takes place once a year. During this time, young boys and men move...

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Gifaataa, Wolaita people New Year festival - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Gifaataa is a New Year festival celebrated by the Wolaita community between mid-September and early October. Before the festival starts, people clean their surroundings and return home to be with their families. Disputes are resolved peacefully in preparation for the new year. On the main day of...

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Highlife music and dance - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Highlife music and dance is a popular form of musical expression and storytelling known for its lively rhythms, lyrics and strong connection to everyday life. It features a mix of instruments, including guitars, horns, drums, xylophones and percussion. The music is often built around...

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The Compas of Haiti - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Compas is a popular music and dance genre that holds deep cultural significance for the practising communities. As strong identifying factor, it brings together people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. The music is characterized by a syncopated rhythm and accompanied by instruments such as...

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Mwazindika spiritual dance of the Daida community of Kenya - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Mwazindika spiritual dance is a traditional practice used to promote individual and communal well-being amongst the Daida community. It combines dance, music, ritual and storytelling, and is performed during important events such as rites of passage, harvests, coronations and times of crisis...

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Tsapiky, rhythm and musical style characteristic of the South-West region of Madagascar - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Tsapiky is a fast-paced musical genre that combines modern and traditional sounds and is deeply rooted in the social life of the inhabitants of southwestern Madagascar. It features electric guitars, drums, accordions and local instruments such as the ‘kabosy’ (a small guitar) and the ‘marovany’...

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Construction processes of the quincha house and the junta de embarre / embarra - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

The construction of mud or clay houses, known as quincha houses, is a traditional building practice commonly found in rural and semi-urban areas in many parts of Panama. These homes are made using a mix of clay soil, hay and natural fibres, along with wood and plants to support the structure...

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Al-Jertiq: practices, rituals and expressions for preservation, protection, abundance and fertility in Sudan - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Among the Nubian populations residing in northern Sudan, along the Nile, up to the Egyptian border, Al-Jertiq is a ritual for protection, fertility and abundance that is held during significant life events such as marriage, childbirth and circumcision, or to mourn the death of a young, unmarried...

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Joropo in Venezuela - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Joropo is a lively festive tradition resulting from the encounter between Indigenous People, Africans and Europeans. Its practice varies according to the regions: East, Guayana, The Andes, West Central, Central and The Plains. It combines music, poetry, singing and dancing, and involves various...

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