UNESCO Nominates Korean Intangible Heritage

Two Korean intangible cultural properties have been included among 47 nominations for the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, AP reported on Tuesday. They are Korean traditional wooden architecture or daemokjang and songs based on traditional poetry from the Chosun era or gagok.

The final decision will come in a meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, on Nov. 15. The list has already passed a preliminary screening and inclusion will therefore present no major challenge.

Korea has eight traditions on the list:  the royal ancestral ritual at the Jongmyo shrine and its music (2001); the pansori epic chant (2003); the Gangneung Danoje Festival (2005); Ganggangsullae dance (2009); Namsadang Nori performance (2009); Yeongsanjae Buddhist ritual (2009); Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut shaman ritual (2009); and the Cheoyongmu dance (2009).