This Thursday, December 11, 2025, Chinaâs nomination of Hezhen Yimakan storytelling was approved in New Delhi at the 20th session of UNESCOâs Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, elevating this ancient oral tradition from urgent safeguarding to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Rooted in the traditions of the Hezhen people along the Heilongjiang River in Chinaâs northeast, Yimakan storytelling blends shamanic chants, ecological wisdom and community histories passed down through generations. Once endangered by language loss and modernization, this practice now gains global visibility as a living embodiment of cultural resilience.
UNESCOâs Representative List currently features hundreds of practices from countries and regions around the world, celebrating diversity and fostering intercultural dialogue. Inscription often sparks new initiativesâlocal groups are already planning digital archives, bilingual podcasts and VR experiences to engage younger audiences and support language revitalization.
For technologists and entrepreneurs, the listing highlights opportunities in cultural-tech innovation, from immersive media to AI-driven translation tools. Thought leaders see it as a model for sustainable heritage tourism, while travelers and digital nomads are inspired to visit remote communities and support community-led experiences.
As the worldâs attention turns to intangible heritage this year, the inscription of Hezhen Yimakan storytelling reminds us that safeguarding traditions is not just about preservationâitâs about celebrating the stories that connect us across borders and generations.
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Hezhen Yimakan storytelling inscribed on UNESCO Representative List
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