The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has made a historic declaration, adding the traditional dance form of Gujarat, Garba, to its prestigious Intangible Heritage List. The announcement was shared on the social media platform X, with UNESCO congratulating Gujarat, India, on this remarkable achievement.
The decision was reached during the 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held at the Cresta Mowana Resort in Kasane, Botswana.
Garba, a traditional and religious dance, is performed during the Hindu festival of Navaratri. The dance involves participants moving in a circular motion around a pot or an image of the goddess Amba, accompanied by singing and clapping hands. Starting slowly, the dance gradually intensifies in speed and fervor.
The Garba community encompasses dancers, musicians, social groups, craftsmen, and religious figures, all contributing to the celebration and organization of the festival, as acknowledged by UNESCO.
Transmission of the Garba tradition occurs in both urban and rural areas through practices, performances, imitations, and observations. UNESCO’s recognition adds Garba to a distinguished list that includes cultural practices such as rickshaws and rickshaw painting in Dhaka, Bangladesh; the Jamu wellness culture of Indonesia; and Thailand’s traditional New Year festival, Songkran.
As of January 2022, India boasts 14 elements on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. These include the traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making by the ‘Thatheras’ of Jandiala Guru in Punjab, the Nawrouz festival, the Kumbh Mela, the Durga Puja of Kolkata, as well as Ramlila and Vedic chants.
