Heritage Day is celebrated annually in South Africa (SA) on September 24 and recognises and celebrates the cultural wealth of SA.
South Africans celebrate the day by remembering the cultural heritage of the many cultures that make up the population of SA, with various events being staged throughout the country to commemorate this day.
Living heritage is the foundation of all communities and an essential source of identity and continuity.
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Aspects of living heritage include: cultural tradition, oral history, performance, ritual, popular memory, skills and techniques, indigenous knowledge systems and the holistic approach to nature, society and social relationships.
In South Africa the term “intangible cultural heritage” is used interchangeably with the term “living heritage”.
Living heritage plays an important role in promoting cultural diversity, social cohesion, reconciliation, peace and economic development.
In every community there are living human treasures that possess a high degree of knowledge, skills and history pertaining to different aspects of diverse living heritage.
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It is, therefore, important for South Africans to reclaim, restore and preserve these various aspects of living heritage.
The Department of Arts and Culture is developing a draft policy on the South African living heritage.
This policy, once adopted, will set the tone for the South African Agenda and highlight the following roles: safeguarding living heritage as a valuable resource for future generations.
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