New UNESCO publication: “Celebrating the Living Heritage of Indigenous Peoples”

The publication weaves together testimonies from Indigenous People's communities in regard to their efforts to safeguard their intangible cultural heritage, some of which are inscribed on the UNESCO Lists.

On 11 June 2024, UNESCO launched a new book Celebrating the living heritage of Indigenous Peoplesin the presence of Leslie Urteaga Pena Minister of Culture of Peru.

Leandro Grass, President of the Brazilian National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN), Varna Marianne Nielsen, Greenlandic Inuit researcher and artist, as well as Holikiari Enawenȇ and Xalokwa Enawenȇ, representatives of the Enawenȇ-nawȇ people in western Brazil, took part in the round table.

Discussions during the launch highlighted a key takeaway of the new UNESCO book which calls for an innovative approach to safeguarding Indigenous Peoples' living heritage. The safeguarding efforts must begrounded in a crosscutting perspective that englobes social, economic, political and environmental contexts. This holistic approach resonates with the way Indigenous Peoples understand and experience the universe, the world and its inhabitants.

Ernesto Ottone R., Assistant Director-General for Culture of UNESCO, said:

Through this colourful publication, we celebrate and pay tribute to the efforts of Indigenous Peoples to safeguard their living cultures. UNESCO works with communities and diverse partners to achieve greater recognition of their worldviews and rights.

Cristina Amescua Chávez, coordinator of the research team for the publication, shared her insights through a video message:

Celebrating the living heritage of Indigenous Peoples is not only a way of recognizing their strength and determination to keep their cultural heritage alive, sometimes even in adverse conditions. It is also to commonly open alternative paths for the building of sustainable futures for all of us.

Holikiari Enawenȇ, representatives of the Enawenȇ-nawȇ people in western Brazil, walked the audience through the ritual life of his people and made a heartfelt plea for the holistic preservation of his Peoples' sacred land and living heritage. He remarked that the Enawenȇ-Nawȇ cosmology comprises different spirits with whom they cohabit and that are at the foundation of the Enawenȇ's clan organisation and society. He added:

I wanted to present to you here, at UNESCO, my Peoples' culture so that the world knows more about the Enawenȇ-Nawȇ and Indigenous Peoples.

Varna Marianne Nielsen, Greenlandic Inuit researcher and artist, presented drum dancing and singing which are forms of Inuit artistic expression in Greenland. She highlighted the challenges these practices face and explained the importance of Greenlandic spirituality and consciousness, encapsulated in the Inuit concept of Sila.

The publication and the event were made possible by the generous support of the Government of Brazil.