National Intangible Cultural Heritage and Transmitters

Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) is an important part of China's rich traditional culture. The representative list of national intangible cultural heritage and the system of representative cultural transmitters are important projects that are at the top of the most efficient efforts of the Chinese nation in protecting its ICH. Since the establishment of the recommendation and application mechanisms for the national intangible cultural heritage list and the identification of the respective representative transmitters, Macao has actively been engaged in the relevant processes in response to the State's preservation work of ICH, also endeavouring to enhance the recognition and protection of Macao's ICH items. At present, a total of 11 elements in Macao have been selected and included in the national intangible cultural heritage list, and seven individuals were identified as representative transmitters related to national ICH items, as listed below:

1. • Cantonese Opera

   • Year of Inclusion: 2006
   • Category: Traditional Drama
   • Protection Entity: Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government
   • ICH Item Representative Transmitter(s): ---
   

2. • Herbal Tea Brewing

   • Year of Inclusion: 2006
   • Category: Traditional Skill
   • Protection Entity: Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government
   • ICH Item Representative Transmitter(s): ---
   

3. • Woodwork – Macao Religious Figure Carving

   • Year of Inclusion: 2008
   • Category: Traditional Art
   • Protection Entity: Tai Cheong Wood Engraving
   • ICH Item Representative Transmitter(s): Tsang Tak Hang
   

4. • Taoist Ritual Music

   • Year of Inclusion: 2011
   • Category: Traditional Music
   • Protection Entity: Macau Taoist Association
   • ICH Item Representative Transmitter(s): Ng Peng Chi
   

5. • Naamyam Cantonense
     (Narrative Songs)

   • Year of Inclusion: 2011
   • Category: Quyi (Folk Vocal Art)
   • Protection Entity: Associação de Ópera Chinesa Au Kuan Cheong
   • ICH Item Representative Transmitter(s): Ng Weng Mui (Falecido), Au Kuan Cheong
   

6. • Festival of the Drunken Dragon

   • Year of Inclusion: 2011
   • Category: Folk Customs
   • Protection Entity: Associação dos Comerciantes de Peixe Fresco de Macau
   • ICH Item Representative Transmitter(s): ---
   

7. • Belief and Customs of A-Ma

   • Year of Inclusion: 2014
   • Category: Folk Customs
   • Protection Entity: Chinese Opera Association of Terrestrial and Maritime Dwellers of Barra, Macao
   • ICH Item Representative Transmitter(s): Chan Kin Chun
   

8. • Belief and Customs of Na Tcha

   • Year of Inclusion: 2014
   • Category: Folk Customs
   • Protection Entity: Associação do Templo da Calçada das Verdades de Macau, Associação do Templo Na Cha Tai Sám Pá Na Cha Miu Chek Lei Vui
   • ICH Item Representative Transmitter(s): Cheang Kun Kuong, Ip Tat
   

9. • Belief and Customs of Tou Tei

   • Year of Inclusion: 2021
   • Category: Folk Customs
   • Protection Entity: Associação de Cheok Chai Un Fok Tak Chi Tou Tei Mio Chek Lei Wui de Macau
   • ICH Item Representative Transmitter(s): ---
   

10. • Macanese Gastronomy

    • Year of Inclusion: 2021
    • Category: Traditional Skill
    • Protection Entity: Macao Institute for Tourism Studies
    • ICH Item Representative Transmitter(s): ---
    

11. • Patuá Theatre

    • Year of Inclusion: 2021
    • Category: Traditional Drama
    • Protection Entity: Dóci Papiaçam Di Macau
    • ICH Item Representative Transmitter(s): ---
    

For more information, please visit the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Website (https://www.ihchina.cn/).