From Community Practice to National Inventory: Nepal’s Efforts in Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage

This weeklong gathering drawn delegates from more than 180 countries to review nominations to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists and evaluate global efforts to safeguard traditional knowledge systems, performing arts, craftsmanship, and oral traditions.

Within this global framework, Nepal stands out as a country of remarkable cultural diversity. Home to more than a hundred ethnic groups, each with its own distinct culture, tradition, language, and identity, Nepal's intangible cultural heritage is deeply woven into everyday life. Traditional dances, music, rituals, festivals and songs, performed for centuries continue to thrive across the country. These living expressions embody the richness and continuity of Nepal's cultural identity, resilience and reflect the diverse ways in which Nepali communities preserve and transmit their heritage across generations.

Despite this richness, Nepal faces a challenge with the absence of comprehensive documentation and inventorying of the indispensable heritage. Effective safeguarding requires systematic recording of heritage elements. In response, the Government of Nepal through the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has initiated the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This effort marks a significant step toward aligning national practices with UNESCO's 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

A milestone in this process came with the inclusion of Y omari in Nepal's intangible heritage list . Officially recognized on 23 July 2025, Yomari represents Nepal's both culinary tradition and cultural identity. This steamed rice flour dumpling, filled with C haku (molasses) or K huwa (milk solids), is a cherished delicacy of the Newar community in the Kathmandu Valley. Traditionally prepared during Yomari Punhi , the practice engages the community, particularly women. To support the listing, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, joined by UNESCO, organized a three-day workshop in 2024 to document Yomari-making practices, songs, and rituals, with over 90% of women participants in the documentation initiative.