Ich Ig Com.11

CONVENTION FOR THE SAFEGUARDING OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE FOR THE SAFEGUARDING OF THE INTANGIBLE

CULTURAL HERITAGE
Eleventh session, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
28 November to 2 December 2016
DECISION 11.COM 10.b.31

The Committee
1. Takes note that Sri Lanka has nominated Traditional art of string puppetry in Sri Lanka
(No. 01171) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of
Humanity:
String puppetry is a traditional practice of Gamwari communities in southern Sri Lanka,
designed to entertain and educate audiences with stories about folklore, history, religion
and issues related to social injustice. Humour is part of the narrative, as well as singing
and music. Considered an important medium for communication, string puppetry caters for
adults and children, working to enhance child socialization and is a tool for the informal
education of young people living in rural communities. Performances of traditional string
puppetry can be seen at public halls and temples, particularly during festivals. Bearers of
the practice are mainly families. Each family member has a role to play in the production
of a performance. Activities can vary from creating the string puppets that are made of
wood, to designing costumes for them, writing story scripts and providing sound and
technical support. Techniques are taught orally to children. Younger generations in turn,
help to continue the tradition and provide support to older family members wanting to
remain involved. In addition to being a form of entertainment, education and aid for
socialization, the practice is also said to reinforce societal values, such as generosity and
living harmoniously.
2. Decides that, from the information included in the file, the nomination satisfies the
following criterion:
R.1: The file describes the element as part of the intangible cultural heritage of
communities concerned. Puppets are used to tell stories and legends, to entertain
the public and to address in a humorous way issues of social injustice. The element
contributes to cultural identity, the socialization of children and fulfilling the social
functions of conviviality and peace. The bearers and practitioners of the element
belong to the Gamwari community and their skills are orally transmitted to young
people. No part of the element is incompatible with existing human rights or the
requirements of sustainable development;
3. Further decides that the information included in the file is not sufficient to allow the
Committee to determine whether the following criteria are satisfied:
R.2: While the file states that inscription would raise the visibility of the element among
the bearers, government and universities, it does not adequately explain how
inscription would increase the visibility and awareness of the significance of
intangible cultural heritage in general. The file states that inscription may lead to
exchange and a transmission of knowledge, resulting in active dialogue and respect
for cultural diversity, but more attention should be given to the possible negative
1
impacts of commercialization and the need to avoid any danger of de-
contextualization of the element as a result of increased tourism;
R.3: Various parties concerned, with State support, have taken measures to ensure the
viability of the element, including propagating the traditional puppet plays through
print media, participating at international puppet festivals, establishing a puppet
museum to conduct research and training, and arranging lectures for school and
university students. Proposed safeguarding measures focus on protection (revision
of the intellectual property law), documentation, training of young people, and
dissemination to a large public through tourism. More details are, however, needed
as to the ways in which the relevant community has been involved in the
development of these measures, while ensuring that the element is not frozen in
time, but allowed to be constantly re-created. The possible negative effects resulting
from tourism and commercialization need to be addressed with preventive or
mitigating measures;
R.4: A wide variety of people worked with government agencies on the nomination
process. The evidence submitted to attest to consent to the nomination is, however,
primarily from organizations/institutions, rather than from communities concerned. It
is also important to clearly present the consent of the Gamwari community (bearers
of the element), particularly since one of the proposed safeguarding measures is ‘to
train non Gamwari people’;
R.5: The submitting State indicates that the element has been included on the National
Inventory of Intangible Heritage of Sri Lanka, maintained by the Ministry of Cultural
Affairs and the Arts, and an excerpt has been appended. No information is,
however, provided regarding the participation of communities, groups and relevant
non-governmental organizations in the preparation of this entry. Information is also
required on proposed future updates of the inventory.
4. Decides to refer the nomination of Traditional art of string puppetry in Sri Lanka to the
submitting State and invites it to resubmit the nomination to the Committee for
examination during a following cycle;
5. Encourages the submitting State, should it wish to resubmit the nomination, to provide a
translation of lyrics played in the video in English or French, as well as to avoid the use of
inappropriate wording such as ‘unique’.

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CONVENTION FOR THE SAFEGUARDING OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE

INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE FOR THE SAFEGUARDING OF THE INTANGIBLE

Eleventh session, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

28 November to 2 December 2016

DECISION 11.COM 10.b.31

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