The Government of Nepal’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has published the 2083 BS edition of “Abhautik Sampada: A Journal of Intangible Cultural Heritage,” a 140-page publication dedicated to documenting, studying and preserving Nepal’s diverse cultural traditions. The journal, published through the ministry’s Culture Division, includes research articles examining the significance of UNESCO’s 1972 World Heritage Convention and 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, emphasizing the need to protect both physical cultural sites and living cultural practices. In an article titled “Cultural Heritage Conservation: The 1972 and 2003 UNESCO Conventions and Status of Nepal,” Dr. Suresh Suras Shrestha discusses Nepal’s international commitments to heritage conservation and highlights the importance of community participation, documentation, cultural education and long-term preservation policies. The publication emphasizes that intangible heritage—including oral traditions, rituals, festivals, indigenous knowledge, craftsmanship and performing arts—forms an essential part of Nepal’s cultural identity and must be transmitted to future generations.
A major focus of the journal is the declining transmission of traditional knowledge and the challenges facing indigenous cultural practices. Researcher Bivek Chaudhary, in “Voices Before Writing: Oral Traditions & Storytelling as Intangible Cultural Heritage in Nepal,” examines the oral heritage of Tamang, Tharu and Gurung communities, including Tamang Selo, Tharu storytelling traditions and Gurung ritual recitations performed by Pojus. The study argues that these traditions preserve historical memory, agricultural knowledge, ecological understanding, community values and social relationships, but face growing threats from modernization, migration, changes in livelihood and declining intergenerational transmission. Another article by Prabita Shrestha, titled “Nuwakot Kumari: The Enduring Case of an Elegant Kumari Facing Invisibilization,” explores the historical, religious and social significance of the Nuwakot Kumari tradition, highlighting its differences from the more widely recognized Kathmandu Valley Kumari practices. The research raises concerns about limited public recognition, institutional neglect and the need to document and safeguard lesser-known religious traditions.
The journal also examines Nepal’s traditional religious practices, cultural landscapes, indigenous festivals and agricultural heritage through detailed studies of communities and historic sites. Its Nepali-language articles discuss Antyeshti and Mrityottar Sanskar, or Hindu funeral and post-death rituals, alongside the cultural significance of Hanumannagar’s Basantotsav, Kalashila Masta Devata in Achham, and the traditional burial practices of the Bhimal community. Other contributions explore Chaku production as a traditional agricultural and cultural practice, the Kirat Rai community’s Sakela Sili festival, the Sama Chakewa festival in Mithila and Deurali traditions. These studies examine how local festivals, ritual performances, traditional foods, sacred landscapes and community knowledge contribute to social cohesion, cultural continuity and environmental awareness. The journal also documents traditional Newar building practices, particularly the construction of houses through religious rituals, craftsmanship and community involvement, demonstrating how architectural traditions represent living cultural heritage rather than merely physical structures.
Beyond documenting individual traditions, the publication emphasizes the importance of systematic cultural research, safeguarding policies, community-led preservation and public awareness. Several articles highlight the risks posed by urbanization, changing lifestyles, migration, declining participation among younger generations and the loss of traditional knowledge holders. The studies recommend strengthening heritage documentation, supporting local practitioners, integrating indigenous knowledge into education and encouraging collaboration among government agencies, researchers and communities. The journal presents Nepal’s intangible cultural heritage as an important resource for cultural identity, sustainable development, responsible tourism and intergenerational knowledge transfer. Published as an academic and cultural research collection, the document does not announce newly approved government funding, specific conservation projects or additional UNESCO inscriptions, but contributes research and recommendations to inform Nepal’s future heritage safeguarding efforts.
