From Lesotho’s Hat to Chinese Cuisine: Unusual Traditions Up for UNESCO Recognition

A traditional hat from Lesotho and Chinese cuisine highlight the diversity of cultural practices being put forward for UNESCO recognition as intangible heritage.

The traditions span food customs, traditional crafts, folk games, music and celebrations. Together, they reflect the many ways communities express their identities and preserve their cultural knowledge.

Unlike monuments or historic buildings, intangible cultural heritage centres on living practices and skills. Its value lies in how people continue to share, use and pass on these traditions.

The examples from Lesotho and China also show how everyday objects and activities can carry cultural meaning. A hat can represent a craft tradition, while cooking can encompass knowledge and customs that extend beyond the food itself.

These varied forms of heritage offer a glimpse into the richness of human cultures, revealing both the importance of shared traditions and the different ways communities give them expression.