Cultural heritage consists of practices, representations, expressions, and knowledge that communities, groups or, in some cases, individuals recognise as part of their culture. It provides them with a sense of identity and continuity.
The term can also refer to physical items such as books, handwritings and manuscripts. UNESCO’s definition of cultural heritage includes both tangible and intangible elements.
Definition
Cultural heritage consists of both physical artifacts and intangible attributes of society inherited from past generations. Intangible attributes include music, literature, rites, traditions, values and beliefs that define a culture. This heritage characterizes the distinctiveness of a culture and distinguishes it from other cultures.
It is important to note that the concept of cultural heritage is fluid and varies between individuals, groups and societies. It can also be influenced by political and religious ideologies. Therefore, it is difficult to identify a specific definition for cultural heritage.
It is crucial to protect cultural heritage because it plays an important role in maintaining a community’s identity and history. In addition, cultural heritage is a valuable asset in the tourism and hospitality industry because it allows visitors to experience local culture and history.
Purpose
Cultural heritage helps maintain a sense of identity and history for a society. It also provides a means of educating people about different cultures. In addition, it can be used as a tool for economic development and tourism.
Intangible cultural heritage includes a wide range of elements that may not be apparent at first glance. It includes dance and music, traditional craftsmanship, social customs, beliefs, rites and ceremonies, indigenous knowledge and language.
In order to safeguard this cultural heritage, it is important to protect it from natural disasters and human activities. This can be done by preserving artifacts, buildings and monuments and protecting them from erosion or deterioration. It is also important to promote intercultural understanding and cooperation. Illicit trafficking of cultural objects and pillaging of archaeological sites also threatens this heritage.
Significance
Besides providing an identity to unique communities, cultural heritage has immense economic significance. It also contributes to a society’s resilience against damage and catastrophe from natural disasters, wars, benign neglect, or intentional destruction.
Cultural heritage is made up of both physical artifacts and intangible attributes. It comprises art, music, language, beliefs and customs that characterize and identify a society. It can be found in museums, archaeological sites and historical buildings.
Some parts of cultural heritage are more important than others. For example, preserving the culture of a city helps it attract tourists, which in turn generates income. Other aspects of cultural heritage are less tangible, such as the emotional ties people feel to their ancestors. These can be even stronger than a love of a particular artifact or monument.
Threats
Benign neglect, devastating accidents, major natural disasters and now climate change are some of the main threats to cultural heritage. Other threats include urbanization, development of new infrastructure and mining.
The deterioration of cultural heritage often results from lack of funding for maintenance, a general disregard by the society, and conflicting local needs. It can also be caused by a lack of proper preservation techniques and a low level of public awareness.
Religious heritage is particularly vulnerable to changes in religious tradition. It can also be affected by the presence of invasive alien species and by climate change. In addition, it can be destroyed by war and conflict. Some cultural heritage objects can be taken illegally by armed groups. In many cases, these actions are not reported due to political concerns.
Sustaining
A cultural heritage is a non-renewable resource that must be carefully maintained. Its preservation enables people to experience their own heritage and learn about others’ cultures. This act of learning promotes empathy, builds a sense of belonging, and inspires a sense of responsibility to protect our shared history.
Cultural heritage is a set of physical artifacts and intangible attributes that characterize a society, and helps define its identity. These include works of art, literature, music, archaeological and historical artifacts, buildings, monuments, and historic places.
Cultural boundaries are not well defined, and cultural heritage can be influenced by different cultures that are far removed in space and time. This is the case with the use of Japanese prints in Pablo Picasso’s paintings or neoclassical architecture in Liberian homes built by former American-enslaved Africans.