In a landmark decision at its 20th regular session in New Delhi, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has granted dual recognition to China’s Hezhen Yimakan storytelling tradition. The ancient oral practice has been officially transferred from the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding to the prestigious Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The committee simultaneously inscribed the safeguarding program for Hezhen Yimakan storytelling into the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices, marking the first time any cultural element has achieved both distinctions concurrently. This unprecedented double recognition follows China’s successful transfer of three cultural elements in 2024, including Li textile techniques.
Hezhen Yimakan represents the rich cultural tapestry of the Hezhe ethnic group, serving as a living repository of their history, heroic narratives, traditional fishing and hunting practices, ritual ceremonies, and moral codes. This unique art form blends prose and verse delivery in the Hezhe language, fulfilling multiple social functions including historical documentation, intergenerational education, and community entertainment.
Since its initial inclusion on the Urgent Safeguarding List in 2011, collaborative efforts among tradition bearers, community organizations, research institutions, and government agencies have significantly strengthened the tradition’s viability. China’s community-centered preservation approach has enhanced both intergenerational transmission and global visibility of this cultural treasure.
The successful transfer follows China’s submission of a comprehensive periodic report to UNESCO in December 2023, which detailed the remarkable recovery of the tradition. The committee’s examination and approval at its 19th session in December 2024 acknowledged China’s effective safeguarding measures while encouraging continued community engagement.
This achievement brings China’s total representations across UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage lists to 45, comprising 40 on the Representative List, three on the Urgent Safeguarding List, and two on the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices.