Strengthening the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Tanzania
UNESCO highlighted the results of a multi-year project (2022–2026) aimed at strengthening national and local capacities to safeguard intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in Tanzania.
The initiative was generously supported by the International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region (ICHCAP) and aligned with the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Building National and Local Capacity
The project focused on:
Strengthening institutional frameworks
Training government officials and cultural practitioners
Promoting community-based safeguarding approaches
Integrating living heritage into sustainable development strategies
Capacity-building workshops brought together key stakeholders — including government officials, civil society representatives and cultural practitioners — to deepen understanding of the Convention’s principles.
In July 2024, 20 participants were trained in community-based inventorying methods in Bagamoyo, equipping them with tools to document and protect living heritage at the grassroots level.
Promoting Awareness Through Media and Youth Engagement
A documentary on Tanzania’s intangible cultural heritage was produced to showcase diverse traditions, knowledge systems and cultural practices across communities. The film was widely disseminated through:
Digital platforms
Cultural festivals
Educational institutions
Its official launch in November 2024 included a youth dialogue session, encouraging young people to explore how digital media, storytelling and creative arts can support heritage preservation.
Developing a National Framework
By the end of 2025, Tanzania advanced toward finalizing a National Intangible Cultural Heritage Framework, based on stakeholder consultations conducted between June and November 2024.
The draft framework aims to:
Integrate living heritage into national development plans
Align cultural policies with sustainable development goals
Embed heritage education into school curricula
Strengthen long-term safeguarding mechanisms
An information session on the Convention’s International Assistance mechanism was also conducted to support future safeguarding initiatives.
Sustaining Momentum
The project’s outcomes are expected to:
Enhance community-led safeguarding efforts
Strengthen policy coordination at national and local levels
Promote digital innovation in heritage preservation
Reinforce the link between cultural identity and sustainable development
By combining policy development, community engagement and youth participation, the initiative positions Tanzania to sustainably protect and celebrate its rich living heritage for generations to come.
