Intangible Cultural Heritage

in⋅tan⋅gi⋅ble/ɪnˈtændʒəbəl/ [in-tan-juh-buhl]

1.not tangible; incapable of being perceived by the sense of touch, as incorporeal or immaterial things; impalpable.
2.not definite or clear to the mind: intangible arguments.

Synonyms:2. vague, elusive, fleeting.

The definition of ‘intangible cultural heritage’ (ICH) has long suffered the problem of vagueness associated with its individual constituent terms; ‘intangible’, ‘culture’ and ‘heritage’ .While in simple terms, it can be defined as the culture that people practise as part of their daily lives; UNESCO, almost to the point of sounding pedantic, defines it as the “practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated therewith – that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. It is transmitted from generation to generation and is constantly recreated by communities and groups in response to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history, and provides them with a sense of identity and continuity, thus promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity".

Yes, I agree that it sounds like pure 'academic speak'! Urge you all to dwell on this for some time...and you'll figure that it isn't rocket science! Diwali is round the corner and i'm sure each one of you can recall aspects of your culture that are intangible. Do share them here!