en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mon_people
1 correction found
are recognised as Intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO
UNESCO’s official intangible-heritage lists for Thailand and Myanmar do not include these Mon children’s games. UNESCO distinguishes between its own inscribed lists and national inventories maintained by states.
Full reasoning
This claim is incorrect because UNESCO’s own official listings for the relevant countries do not recognize these games as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
On UNESCO’s official Thailand country page for "Lists and Nominations," the Intangible Cultural Heritage entries are only: Kebaya, Khon, Nora, Nuad Thai, Songkran in Thailand, and Tomyum Kung. There is no listing for Len Saba, Lor Kon Krok, or Mon Son Pa.
On UNESCO’s official Myanmar intangible cultural heritage page, the country has 1 elements inscribed: Myanmar traditional New Year Atā Thingyan festival. Again, these games do not appear there.
UNESCO’s FAQ also explains the distinction between UNESCO-inscribed elements and national inventories. It states that "At the national level, States can register what they consider appropriate for their inventories without intervention from UNESCO." So a practice can be part of a national or local heritage inventory without being a UNESCO-recognized element.
That means the sentence overstates the status of these games: even if they are documented locally or nationally, the available UNESCO records do not show them as UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage.
3 sources
- Thailand - Lists and Nominations | UNESCO
Intangible Cultural Heritage: Kebaya; Khon, masked dance drama in Thailand; Nora, dance drama in southern Thailand; Nuad Thai, traditional Thai massage; Songkran in Thailand, traditional Thai New Year festival; Tomyum Kung.
- Myanmar - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Listing of ICH ... Myanmar traditional New Year Atā Thingyan festival (2024, RL) ... 1 elements inscribed.
- Frequently Asked Questions - UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
At the national level, States can register what they consider appropriate for their inventories without intervention from UNESCO.