Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Belgian beer culture made the list - almost 1,500 different types are produced in the country

Unesco, the UN's culture and education arm is meeting in Ethiopia's capital to name the world's "cultural intangibles" - traditions and social practices unique to specific countries.

Unesco says cultural traditions must remain relevant to be "kept alive" and that naming them helps with that.

They also say the "cultural intangibles" list encourages traditions to be passed down to future generations.

What sort of things made the list?

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Some of the divers are in their 80s

On the Korean island of Jeju, female divers known as Jeju Haenyeo gather shellfish for a living. The divers can harvest for up to seven hours a day and hold their breath during their 10 metre dives. Prayers are said for safety before the dive and the tradition is passed down in families. Unesco says the practice "advances women's status in the community" and promotes sustainability.

Image copyright EPA Image caption The Rumba incorporates elements of Antillean culture and Spanish flamenco

The Cuban Rumba, a music and dance combination, originally developed across the country in poor neighbourhoods and shanty towns. Unesco says the Rumba is "an expression of resistance and self-esteem while evoking grace, sensuality and joy to connect people".

Image copyright AFP Image caption The structures often provide a satirical or ironic look at local and international problems

Las Fallas festival in Valencia, Spain, marks the coming of spring. From 14-19 March, giant papier-mache structures are constructed throughout the town and on the last night of the festival the structures are set alight. The festival is accompanied by marching bands, outdoor meals and fireworks.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Street rituals take place to encourage "peaceful communities"

Afghanistan's Nowruz festival marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Persian calendar. The festival is also celebrated across Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and includes special meals and family visits.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Tens of thousands of competitors try to catch fish during the festival

The Argungu international fishing festival in northern Nigeria brings together tens of thousands of fisherman for four days. The festival includes water competitions, canoe racing, duck catching and local wrestling and boxing competitions. Men and boys participate while women encourage competitors with song and dance.

Image copyright © UNESCO/Ahmed Abdullatif Image caption The dance is performed by the Hijazi community

Almezmar is a traditional dance performed by Saudis from the Hijazi community for festive occasions. Some 15-100 performers dressed in white twirl long sticks, beat drums and clap to songs about love and generosity.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Yoga is practiced throughout India for its physical and spiritual benefits

The ancient Indian practice of yoga has influenced Indian health, education, medicine and art. Yoga seeks to unify the mind, body and soul for a greater mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing. The practice consists of poses, controlled breathing, mediation and chanting. </s> Ministry of external affairs said, “In a diplomatic triumph for India, the Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has inscribed Yoga in Unesco’s Representative List as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity." (Representational image)

New Delhi: In what India has termed as a “diplomatic triumph” for it, Yoga has joined the Unesco’s list of “Intangible” Cultural Heritage of Humanity after an Indian proposal in this regard was unanimously supported by all the 24 members of the Intergovernmental Committee of the body at its session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This comes after the UN declared June 21 as the International Yoga Day in 2014. Yoga thus becomes the 13th intangible cultural heritage that has been listed from India so far with Unesco, according to a statement by the ministry of culture.

Centre gave push after Yoga Day

 In a statement, the ministry of external affairs said, “In a diplomatic triumph for India, the Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has inscribed Yoga in Unesco’s Representative List as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This Declaration of Yoga as a ‘Human Treasure’ enjoyed the unanimous support of the 24-member inter-governmental Committee which overturned the decision of an Evaluation Body of technical experts, seeking to defer the case to the next session of the Committee in 2017.”

India’s existing entries include the Chhau dance (inscribed in 2010), the Buddhist chanting of Ladakh (2012), Sankirtana (the ritual singing, drumming, and the dancing of Manipur (2013), the traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab (2014), and Ramlila )the traditional performance of the Ramayana (2008).

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has played a key role in having the United Nation declare June 21 as the International Yoga Day in 2014. The Government of India has been taking forward the momentum created by celebration of International Yoga Day in 2015 and 2016. The government has continuously been promoting Yoga as a human treasure and a key to noble health,” the culture ministry added. </s> In a diplomatic triumph for India, an intergovernmental committee of the United Nations has inscribed yoga in UNESCO's Representative List as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

"This declaration of yoga as a 'Human Treasure' enjoyed the unanimous support of 24-member Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which overturned the decision of an evaluation body of technical experts, seeking to defer the case to the next session of the committee in 2017," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said on Thursday.

The tag emphasises yoga's role as a social practice, an oral tradition and a system of ancient and scientific knowledge, facilitating an enhanced harmony and peace across caste, creed, gender, age and nationality, he said.

The eleventh session of the Intergovernmental Committee is being held in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, from November 28 to December 2.

The inscription and classification as a 'human treasure' brings immense recognition to yoga, as it went through rigorous criteria set out by UNESCO, the only UN body mandated to capture the intangible aspects of culture, Swarup said.

Additionally, the inscription enables a bottoms-up empowerment, as it directs the spotlight towards the numerous institutions and communities in India disseminating this ancient tradition, he said.

"As well, it can potentially foment a dialogue on the ideas of peace and tolerance, how these can be extended to meet the goals of sustainable development and where India can play a leading role in this global dialogue on intercultural relations," he added.

Recognising its universal appeal, in December 2014, the United Nations had proclaimed June 21 as International Yoga Day.

The core functions of the Committee are to promote the objectives of the Convention (for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage), provide guidance on best practices and make recommendations on measures for safeguarding it.

"Huge achievement for India. #YOGA as an element has been inscribed in the @UNESCO list of Intangible #CulturalHeritage of the World.

"All 24 Member Countries of IGC supported and it was a unanimous decision," Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma tweeted.

The delegation from India that attended the Intergovernmental Committee Meeting was lead by the country's permanent representative to UNESCO, Ruchira Kamboj, and Cutlure Ministry Joint Secretary M L Srivastava, the ministry said in a release.

"Never ever happened before! After #Yoga inscription, entire conference does Yogic breathing," Kamboj tweeted.

Yoga has become the 13th intangible cultural heritage from the country that has been listed with UNESCO so far.

Other intangible cultural heritage that has been listed from India include the Chhau dance (inscribed in 2010), the Buddhist chanting of Ladakh (2012), Sankirtana - the ritual singing, drumming, and dancing of Manipur (2013); the traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab (2014); and Ramlila -- the traditional performance of the Ramayana (2008). </s> Reggae, 'A Voice For All,' Added To Intangible Cultural Heritage List By UNESCO

Enlarge this image toggle caption Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

One of the best-loved musical styles in the world now bears a new distinction. Reggae — the uniquely Jamaican creation born in the late 1960s and made popular globally by artists like Bob Marley and Toots and the Maytals — has been added to a list of global cultural treasures by UNESCO, the cultural and scientific agency of the United Nations.

On Thursday, reggae was "inscripted," as the UNESCO term goes, to the "Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity," joining more than 300 other traditional practices worldwide on the U.N. agency's list.

"Its contribution to international discourse on issues of injustice, resistance, love and humanity underscores the dynamics of the element as being at once cerebral, socio-political, sensual and spiritual," UNESCO said in a statement. "The basic social functions of the music — as a vehicle for social commentary, a cathartic practice, and a means of praising God — have not changed, and the music continues to act as a voice for all."

UNESCO enlarges its list annually; dozens of musical, dance and theater styles have already been included, though possibly none so well-known, or commercially popular worldwide, as reggae.

Among other traditions newly added to the UNESCO list this year are wrestling from the country of Georgia, hurling in Ireland, Japanese raiho-shin rituals, spring festival rites among the horse breeders of Kazakhstan and as-samer dancing in Jordan. </s> That challenge is about to get tougher.

UNESCO's huge list of World Heritage properties has grown even longer this month, with the global body voting to add 21 sites during the 41st annual World Heritage Committee session in Krakow, Poland.

That brings the total of UNESCO World Heritage Sites to 1,073.

Northwest England's mountainous Lake District was among the new sites added to the list, the UK's first national park to become a World Heritage property.

"The combined work of nature and human activity has produced a harmonious landscape in which the mountains are mirrored in the lakes," says UNESCO's statement announcing the inscription.

India's walled city of Ahmedabad, founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah in the 15th century, was also added to the list, becoming the country's first city to get a UNESCO nod.

Located on the eastern bank of the Sabarmati river, it "presents a rich architectural heritage from the sultanate period, notably the Bhadra citadel, the walls and gates of the Fort city and numerous mosques and tombs as well as important Hindu and Jain temples of later periods," says UNESCO's description of the city.

Two South America properties were added to the list, including Brazil's Valongo Wharf, an archeological site.

Located in central Rio de Janeiro, the wharf encompasses the entire Jornal do Comércio Square and was built to receive enslaved Africans who began landing the South American continent from 1811.

"It is the most important physical trace of the arrival of African slaves on the American continent," says UNESCO.

Israel accused UNESCO of making a politically motivated move, part of what it says is an attempt to deny the Jewish character and heritage of certain key sites in the Holy Land.

Meanwhile, UNESCO's decision to approve China's nomination of Hoh Xil, part of the high-altitude Tibetan plateau in Qinghai Province, has also drawn protests.

The International Campaign for Tibet says the nomination poses a threat to Tibetan nomads and their way of life.

Here's this year's list of newly inscribed sites, several of which can be viewed in the above gallery:

Germany: Caves and ice age art in the Swabian Jura

Angola: Mbanza Kongo, political and spiritual capital of the Kingdom of Kongo

The United Nations' World Heritage Committee, made up of representatives from 21 countries, meets annually to vote natural, cultural and sites of mixed significance around the world to its prestigious preservation list, which includes places of "outstanding universal value."

The inscribed sites must meet at least one of 10 criteria such as "representing a masterpiece of human creative genius," containing "exceptional natural beauty" or being an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement.

UNESCO has been adding sites to the World Heritage List since 1978.

In the travel world, being able to add the words "UNESCO World Heritage Site" to destination marketing materials is the equivalent of striking tourism gold, bringing fame and cultural cachet as well as resources for sites in need of restoration and protection.

As a result, nations often spend years developing pitches for inclusion on the list and must convince the UNESCO committee they will protect their sites and support them financially. </s> UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has added reggae to its list of cultural institutions worthy of protection and preservation, the BBC reports.

Each year, UNESCO adds to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and Jamaica submitted reggae for consideration earlier this year. The genre now joins a list of over 300 cultural traditions, including numerous musical ones such as Dominican merengue, Slovakian bagpipe music and Vietnamese xoan singing.

In a statement on its website, UNESCO said of reggae, “Its contribution to international discourse on issues of injustice, resistance, love and humanity underscores the dynamics of the element as being at once cerebral, socio-political, sensual and spiritual. The basic social functions of the music – as a vehicle for social commentary, a cathartic practice, and a means of praising God – have not changed, and the music continues to act as a voice for all.”

To mark its inclusion on the list, UNESCO shared a short documentary that examines the history and distinct characteristics of reggae music.

While reggae’s inclusion on UNESCO’s Intangible list is largely symbolic, The New York Times reported earlier this month that Jamaica is hoping to further protect and preserve the music in various ways. Among the plans are radio stations centered around reggae, as well as public exhibitions in museums and Reggae Month, which will take place in February, the birth month of Bob Marley. </s> PARIS -- Reggae music has been inscribed on the prized intangible cultural heritage list of UNESCO, the UN's cultural agency.

UNESCO said Thursday the Jamaican music is unique because it represents "a vehicle of social commentary" and "continues to provide a voice for all" since it was first created by marginalized groups, mainly in the western part of Jamaica's capital of Kingston.

It said the music -- which combines Caribbean, Latin and North American influences -- provides a "cathartic experience" when played and it is also used as a means of praising God.

The intangible heritage list aims to improve the visibility of non-physical traditions and know-how of communities around the world.

UNESCO committees are holding their latest round of heritage inscriptions in the Mauritius capital of Port Louis through Saturday. </s> PARIS (AP) — Reggae music has been inscribed on the prized intangible cultural heritage list of UNESCO, the U.N.’s cultural agency. UNESCO said Thursday the Jamaican music is unique because it represents “a vehicle of…

PARIS (AP) — Reggae music has been inscribed on the prized intangible cultural heritage list of UNESCO, the U.N.’s cultural agency.

UNESCO said Thursday the Jamaican music is unique because it represents “a vehicle of social commentary” and “continues to provide a voice for all” since it was first created by marginalized groups, mainly in the western part of Jamaica’s capital of Kingston.

It said the music — which combines Caribbean, Latin and North American influences — provides a “cathartic experience” when played and it is also used as a means of praising God.

The intangible heritage list aims to improve the visibility of non-physical traditions and know-how of communities around the world.

UNESCO committees are holding their latest round of heritage inscriptions in the Mauritius capital of Port Louis through Saturday.

Copyright © 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed. </s> Reggae music has been named a ‘global treasure’ by the United Nations.

UNESCO, the world body’s cultural and scientific agency, added the genre that originated in Jamaica to its collection of ‘intangible cultural heritage’ deemed worthy of protection and promotion.

The musical style joined a list of cultural traditions that includes the horsemanship of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, a Mongolian camel-coaxing ritual and Czech puppetry.

More than 300 other traditional practices that range from boat-building, pilgrimages and cooking were also protected.

Reggae emerged in the late 1960s out of Jamaica’s ska and rocksteady genres, also drawing influence from American jazz and blues.

Reggae also became associated with Rastafarianism, which deified the former Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie.

Jamaica applied for reggae’s inclusion on the list this year at a meeting of the UN agency on the island of Mauritius, where 40 proposals were under consideration.
Yoga, rumba and Nowruz are classified as 'treasures' by UNESCO.