Test Your Knowledge on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) with Our Quiz!

Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) is defined as nonphysical intellectual wealth such as folklore, customs, beliefs, traditions, knowledge, and language that is considered by UNESCO to be part of a place's cultural heritage. UNESCO made a survey among states and NGOs in 2001 to draft the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2003 for the protection and promotion of ICH. The ICH is passed orally within the community, and while there may be individuals who are known tradition bearers, ICH is often broader than one individual's own skills or knowledge. Prior to the UNESCO Convention, efforts had already been made by a number of states to safeguard their intangible heritage. UNESCO has also created other intangible culture programs, such as a list called Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The UNESCO lists of ICH include a variety of dance genres, often associated with singing, music, and celebrations, from all over the world. The lists include celebratory and ritual dances and social dances. With sustainable development gaining momentum as a priority of UNESCO heritage policies, an increasing number of food-related nominations are being submitted for inscription on the lists of the Convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage. Digital heritage is a sub-category of ICH and refers primarily to the use of digital media in the service of preserving cultural or natural heritage.