Tinian marble craftsmanship was added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of Unesco.
The Committee for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage meeting in Namibia until 4 December, Wednesday afternoon inscribed 15 new elements on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The Representative List includes forms of expression that testify to the diversity of the intangible heritage and raise awareness of its importance. The review of nominations for inscription on this list is finished for this year, which saw 23 elements inscribed out of a total of 35 that were proposed.
Empirical knowledge
According to UNESCO, the art of marble-carving is an expression of the cultural identity of Tinos. Marble craftspeople possess empirical knowledge about the structure and properties of marble bearing rock. Transmission follows longstanding traditions where skills are passed on from master to apprentice, usually family members of the same family.
Traditional motifs are mainly religious or apotropaic in nature often depicting cypresses, flowers, birds and ships and placed on buildings, churches and cemeteries. Designs for standard marble vessels and fanlights are used to bring fertility and prosperity.
