ABSTRACT
The practices of intangible cultural heritage are central to the cultural heritage of humanity, which comprises practices from a plethora of different cultures as well as monuments listed as world cultural heritage. In contrast to architectural monuments which are easily identified and protected, the forms of intangible cultural heritage are much more difficult to pick out, to convey, and to conserve. A number of consequences ensue from the fact that the human body is the medium of intangible cultural heritage. For the genesis and practice of religion, society and community, politics and the economy, culture and art, learning and education, the practices of intangible cultural heritage are essential. Cultural communities constitute themselves through verbal and non-verbal forms of interaction and communication. Practices of intangible cultural heritage are largely appropriated in mimetic processes, in which the practical knowledge necessary for their staging and performance is acquired.
