JEJU ISLAND, South Korea (Reuters) — A South Korean diving tradition, the ancient Indian practice of yoga and the making and sharing of flatbread are among the new additions to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, the organisation announced on Wednesday (November 30) and Thursday (December 1).
The U.N. created its list of intangible cultural heritage in 2008 for traditional events, rituals and social practices. To be considered, the tradition should be passed down through generations and give those involved a sense of identity.
South Korean women divers, known as Jeju Haenyeo, and their practice of gathering shellfish without the help of oxygen masks on Jeju Island secured a spot on the list. The sea explorers hold their breath for a minute on each dive, and make prayers to the goddess of the sea to ask for safety and an abundant catch before they head under water.
India’s ancient practice of yoga, which consists of a series of poses, meditation and controlled breathing among other techniques, also achieved a place on the global list of traditions worthy of protection.
Practiced to improve mental, spiritual, and physical well-being, yoga has gained enormous popularity across the world and has been taken up by all generations and genders.
The culture of making and sharing flatbread, a culinary treat enjoyed at regular meals as well as special occasions by communities in Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey, was also added to the list.
Making the bread involves at least three people, with an earth or stone oven in the ground used to bake it and neighbours in rural areas participating in the process together.
Georgia’s written language and its three alphabets — Mrgvlovani, Nuskhuri and Mkhedruli — was another cultural traditions recognised. The alphabets all remain in use, coexisting due to their different cultural and social functions.
Egypt’s festive stick game “Tahteeb”, involving a brief, non-violent interchange between two opponents which was traditionally used as a form of martial arts, has also been added.
Inclusion on UNESCO’s list confers on the countries involved an obligation to safeguard the tradition. In some cases, states can apply for financial help to do so. UNESCO also has a separate list of heritage in need of urgent safeguard, for which three items were named this year.
This year’s additions also included Cuban rumba and the Mangal Shobhajatra festival in Bangladesh that celebrates the Bengali New Year. Last year, Arabic coffee and the bagpipe culture in Slovakia gained entry.