By
: Suon Bun Rith, Kong Kongkea and Fred Frumberg (UNESCO),
Picture by : John Seow.
Intangible Heritage
Angkor Wat
stands indomitable and undeniable as part of Cambodia's
heritage. Khmer classical dancers perform the intricate
movements handed down through the centuries.
These are both tangible parts of the heritage of
Cambodia.
The Pocket Oxford Dictionary defines tangible as
perceptible by touch or definite.
That leaves another aspect of culture to be defined.
Intangible Culture is "non-physical cultural
heritage".
Intangible means something unable to be touched.
This means the relevance of spirituality and “mentorship”
as it applies to the culture. Intangible culture
can be experienced through the senses and is both
strong and fragile as it relies on a community to
pass it on.
The spirit of Angkor Wat and the symbolic relevance
it has to all Khmers is therefore intangible heritage,
as is the symbolism inlaid into each of the classical
Khmer dancer's movements.
The weave of a traditional silk skirt is tangible
heritage. The meaning of the pattern is intangible
heritage, but no less vital to understand to fully
appreciate the rich history of the weavers and their
country.
Intangible culture is the element least often written
down.
This means it is also the aspect of a culture most
easily lost in a turbulent recent past like Cambodia's.
It is also the one that gives a vital extra dimension
to the objects we can see and preserve as monuments
or in museums.
Intangible culture is living culture.
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