The Pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the Lord of Qoyllurit’i in Cusco

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Peru's Lord of Qoyllurit’i joins UN-backed list of intangible heritage

• Pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the Lord of Qoyllurit’i. Photo: ANDINA/Archive/Alberto Orbegoso

• Lima, Nov. 27 (ANDINA). The Pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the Lord of Qoyllurit’i in Cusco, Peru was today added to the United Nations-backed list aimed at preserving and spotlighting the planet's

• most valuable intangible heritage.

  The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Heritage meeting in Bali (Indonesia) until 29 November, inscribed elements from Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France and Peru on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during its morning session on Sunday.

  This brings to nine the number of new elements inscribed on the Representative List this year so far.

  The Pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the Lord of Qoyllurit’i begins 58 days after Easter when people representing eight indigenous villages from around Cusco, Peru travel to the Sinakara sanctuary.

  This religious event plays itself out over 24 hours as people process up and down the mountain ending in the village of Tayancani at sunrise.

  Dances play a central role in the pilgrimage. The Council of Pilgrim Nations and the Brotherhood of the Lord of Qoyllurit’i oversee activities and maintain the rules and codes of behaviour.

  The other six recently-added elements include traditional knowledge of the jaguar shamans of Yuruparí (Colombia); Becarac singing and playing from Eastern Croatia (Croatia); Nijemo Kolo, silent circle dance of the Dalmatian hinterland (Croatia); Tsiattista poetic duelling (Cyprus); Ride of the Kings in the south-east of the Czech Republic; and Equitation in the French tradition (France).

  The Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted by UNESCO’s General Conference in 2003 and now includes 139 States Parties.

  Only those countries that have ratified the Convention are eligible to present elements for inscription on the Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.

  The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Heritage comprises 24 UNESCO Member States, elected for a term of four years. Half the Committee is renewed every two years.

  (END) EEP