Assessment of 12 years (2011–2023) implementation of the 2003 UNESCO convention on safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in Tanzania

This article examines the safeguarding and implementation of the ICH convention using a case study approach in the United Republic of Tanzania context. The study investigated safeguarding measures employed after independence in 1961 and since 2011 when the country became a signatory to UNESCO (2003) convention. The study revealed that the country has still not achieved much in terms of identifying and safeguarding intangible cultural heritage (ICH). The country has neither developed a national inventory nor inscribed any element on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This situation is due to the failure to understand the philosophical background of the ICH Convention. The negative beliefs of some people that many cultural elements such as rituals and witchcraft are outdated or evil has influenced challenges in safeguarding ICH in Tanzania. Furthermore, fear of bringing identity problems and tribalism issues while there is a feeling that Tanzanians are unified by the Kiswahili language which leads to Swahili culture has also brought negative perspectives towards safeguarding and implementing ICH in the country. Finally, this paper contributes to the discourse on the best practices in safeguarding and implementing ICH.