Pakistan's ICH Element Of 'Suri Jagek' Inscribed On UNESCO's List Of Intangible Heritage

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has finally inscribed Pakistan's Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) element of "Suri Jagek" in its "List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding".

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Dec, 2018 ) :United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has finally inscribed Pakistan's Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) element of "Suri Jagek" in its "List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding".

Suri Jagek is a traditional meteorological and astronomical practice based on the observation of the sun, moon and stars in reference to the local topography of the Kalasha Community of Pakistan.

Talking to APP on Monday, Joint Secretary, NH&LH Division, Syed Junaid Akhlaq said that the Inter-Governmental Committee of UNESCO in its 13th annual meeting held in Port Louis, Mauritius on November 28, has decided to inscribe the ICH element of Pakistan "Suri Jagek" on its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of Urgent Safeguarding.� He said the Inter-governmental Committee of UNESCO, in its decision, appreciated the submission of a well prepared file by the NH&LH Division, notably in relation to the description of the threats to the element and underlining the collaboration between the community and researchers.

Previously two ICH elements "Falconry" and "Nowruz" were inscribed by National History and Literary Division as multinational nominations on the representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

However, "Suri Jagek" is the first ICH element inscribed on Urgent Safeguarding List of UNESCO, he said.

Minister for NH&LH, Shafqat Mehmood and Secretary, Engineer Aamir�Hasan have appreciated the efforts of whole team and support of UNESCO Islamabad office on this marvelous achievement.� He said `Suri Jagek' is a vanishing tradition and meteorological and astronomical practice of inhabitants of Kalash Valley to observe sun, moon and stars in reference to the local topography for weather related forecast.

Inscription of this practice on UNESCO's list would keep this ancient cultural tradition of Kalash people alive.

Junaid Akhlaq said the nomination file of `Suri Jagek' was submitted by Pakistan for a possible inscription in 2018 on the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.� He said Pakistan is the only country in the South Asia which has filed such nomination to be inscribed in the said list. This file was evaluated by the Evaluation Body of UNESCO and transmitted to the Intergovernmental Committee for a decision at its thirteen session in November.� He said "Cultural heritage of Kalash is facing various threats and there is urgent need to preserve this unique culture of Chitral district which is rich in both tangible and intangible cultural heritage." Listing some other initiatives, the Joint Secretary of the division informed that the division has also initiated a project of inventorying the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and identified around 45 elements with the help of local school teachers to formulate National ICH inventory of Pakistan.

He said the division has also developed national guidelines for integrating intangible cultural heritage in to teaching and learning for promoting education for sustainable development.

The NH&LH Division, since its formation, is taking strong measures to give recognition to the cultural heritage of all the communities and places across the country as well as their preservation for transmission to the next generations, he said.

Such inscription of Pakistan's traditions and intangible cultural heritage at UNESCO lists will also help promote soft image of the country, Junaid Akhlaq said.