UNESCO'S ACTIVITIES FOR THE SAFEGUARDING OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE IN THE HORN OF AFRICA

Abstract

One of UNESCO's main activities in the fi eld of culture concerns the promotion and safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. For this purpose, the Member States of UNESCO have elaborated the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which was adopted in 2003 and entered into force in 2006. Intangible cultural heritage consists, according to Article 2.1 of that Convention, of practices and expressions that are handed down within groups and communities from generation to generation, that are in constant evolution and that give a sense of identity and continuity to these groups and communities. UNESCO was and has been involved in a number activities related to intangible cultural heritage in the Horn of Africa, not only in Djibouti and Ethiopia that already ratifi ed the 2003 Convention, but also in Eritrea and Somalia that are considering ratifi cation. Some of these UNESCO activities are aimed at raising awareness about the 2003 Convention, others were designed to reinforce or create, in line with the objectives of that Convention, conditions under which practitioners and tradition bearers may continue to enact, to develop and to transmit their traditional expressions and practices.