National Committee for the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Timor-Leste - KOMNAS PKI-TL
Following Article 11 of the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which states that “the role of states parties shall take the necessary measures to ensure the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage present in its territory, with the participation of communities, groups, and relevant non-governmental organizations,” As a result, Timor-Leste National Committee of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Timor-Leste (National Committee of ICH-TL) established a declaration of intent with line ministries: SEAC, Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, and Industry (MTCI), Secretary of State for Equality and Inclusion (SEII), NATCOM-TL, and development partners: Timor Aid, Alola Foundation, UN WOMEN Timor-Leste, Dili UNESCO Athena Office, and USAID’s Tourism for All Project. The establishment of the National Committee of ICH-TL as a shared platform for collaboration in the preservation of Timor-Leste’s intangible cultural heritage.
The first step of the National Committee of ICH-TL work was elaborate on the necessary measure for safeguarding the element of intangible cultural heritage “Tais”; the initial process of nominating intangible cultural heritage the road towards international recognition. Despite several steps and challenges, particularly during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic, this commission graciously passed and registered the textile on the UNESCO’s list within the category of urgent safeguarding.
Through the national consensus derived from the contribution of all parts within the national territory, from ideas and suggestions about the “Tais” nomination, as a result, the National Committee of ICH-TL has designed the safeguarding planning of “Tais” within three periods, from 2022-2025 in response to the UNESCO’s criteria about a cultural element nomination with a category of urgent safeguarding.
Tais, a traditional textile of Timor-Leste recognized internationally and registered on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding. Satisfactorily met the five criteria of nomination, such as: Compatibility and sustainable development that is not contradictory with any human rights instrument, The immediate need to protect the elements, Development of safeguarding plans for the continuation of practice and transfer to future generations, Cooperation with all organizations involved in the consultation and nomination process, the state and community have inventoried the referred element.
Urgent safeguarding of Tais is a necessary measure that states part shall implement in the national territory,withtheparticipationofcommunitiesand all different entities to give sustainability of the “Tais” existence in Timor-Leste. National Committee of ICH-TL through the line ministries and development partners implements the Urgent Safeguarding planning of “Tais” with the following six essential programs: Promotion, Awareness raising, Research, Transmission, Training and Marketing.
The program of urgent safeguarding of “Tais” is the mission of the National Committee of ICH-TL which is implemented in its activities. All Timorese also have a role in safeguarding and promoting ‘tais’ as well as continuing the heritage of our ancestors that are passed down as present for us.