Gujarat’s Garba Dance makes entry into UNESCO’s List of ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’

Digital Desk: UNESCO approved the inclusion of garba, Gujarat's most popular folk dance style, in its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity on Wednesday, December 6. According to the official UNESCO website, Garba is now India's 15th 'inscription' on the list.

"The practitioners and bearers (of garba) are broad and inclusive, from the dancers to the musicians, social groups, craftspeople, and religious figures involved in the festivities and preparations," according to the reports. 

"Garba promotes equality by transcending socioeconomic, gender, and religious hierarchies via practice and observation. It welcomes various and marginalised communities, hence fostering social ties," the reports further stated.

In continuation of the report, the Republic of Botswana held the 18th session of the ICH, which examined nominations made by States Parties for 'inscription' on the Convention's Lists.

Aside from 'Garba of Gujarat,' the list also included Rickshaws and Rickshaw painting in Dhaka from Bangladesh, Songkran in Thailand, a traditional Thai New Year festival from Thailand, Hiragasy, a performing art of Madagascar's Central Highlands, Junkanoo from the Bahamas, and the Procession and celebrations of Prophet Mohammed's birthday in Sudan. 

The evaluating body of the committee approved the nomination submitted by the Indian government in partnership with the Gujarat government.