SUSTAIN INTEREST THROUGH COLLABORATIONS

Sustain Interest Through Collaborations

Subject matter experts in areas of intangible cultural heritage are a rare breed. Even rare are individuals who are self-professed and socially recognized and acknowledged experts in various intangible cultural fields. Subject matter experts in areas of intangible cultural heritage may not necessarily be academically trained to appraise their interest from an academic standpoint, but their motivations are rooted from pure love of their chosen areas of interest. Their dedicated passions often leads them to having a deeper understanding and appreciation of their areas of interest.

Cultural expressions passed down from one generation to another, evolves in response to environments and contribute to giving us a sense of identity
and continuity…

In retrospect, academics and overly narrow minded persons might perceive subject matter experts as mere interest enthusiasts instead of expert connoisseurs in their knowledge of specific area of intangible niche interest. This is a valid argument. However, this is the area herein lies opportunities for an objective collaboration between enthusiasts and academics. The lines between enthusiasts and academics may appear distinct and separate in most cases but both share a common ground in its study and appreciation. It is critical to give due recognition to both academia and enthusiasts who are active proponent and advocate of preserving intangible cultural heritage.

Intangible cultural heritage is dependant on those whose knowledge of
traditions, skills and customs are
passed on to the rest of the community.

What is Intangible Cultural Heritage?

According to UNESCO, intangible cultural heritage is defined and not limited to include oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe or the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts.

The Benefits of Sharing And Collaborating

Any successful endeavour, be it big or small, has one thing at its core: effective collaboration. Deliverables are achieved through knowledge sharing. No one person may boldly claim to be a master of many skills, talents and knowledge.

The adage old saying

“KNOWLEDGE IS POWER”

is dead.

“SHARING AND COLLABORATING”

is a more effective direction to ensure sustainability and growth.

Safeguarding a living heritage

Just like culture in general, intangible heritage is constantly changing and evolving, and being enriched by each new generation. Many expressions and manifestations of intangible cultural heritage are under threat, endangered by globalization and cultural homogenisation, and also by a lack of support, appreciation and understanding. If intangible cultural heritage is not nurtured, it risks becoming lost forever, or frozen as a practice belonging to the past.

Communities themselves must take part in identifying and
defining intangible cultural heritage: they are the ones
deciding which practices are part of their cultural heritage.

Preserving this heritage and passing it on to future generations strengthens it, and keeps it alive while allowing for it to change and adapt.
In order to safeguard intangible cultural heritage, we need different measures from the ones used for conserving monuments, sites and natural spaces. For intangible to be kept alive, it must remain relevant to a culture and be regularly practised and learned within communities and between generations.

The Keris Collector, welcomes initiatives and invitations for potential collaboration with any individuals or organisations with common ground and standing on matters pertaining to knowledge transfer and preservation. We look forward to share, learn and grow together as a community.

Interested? Questions? Do e-mail us at enquiry@thekeriscollector.com

References:

Anon, (2017). [online] Available at: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2mH9Jf9FQh8WmZhanFOQmlBc3c [Accessed 30 Aug. 2017].
Cherbel, V. (2017). 10 Reasons To Share Knowledge – Quandora. [online] Quandora. Available at: http://www.quandora.com/10-reasons-to-share-knowledge/ [Accessed 30 Aug. 2017].