The normal Korean methods of constructing fermented pastes and sauces, or “jang,” are all however sure to make UNESCO’s record of intangible cultural heritage, the Korea Heritage Service mentioned Tuesday, citing a choice the identical day by the UN tradition and heritage physique to suggest the apply for inscription.
The ultimate determination by the 12-member Analysis Physique of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage will likely be reviewed by the 24-country Intergovernmental Committee at its nineteenth session in Asuncion, Paraguay, to be held Dec. 2-7.
The Analysis Physique has formally requested that the committee add “data, beliefs, and practices associated to jang making in South Korea” to the UNESCO record.
“The possibility of getting the committee approval is 99 p.c,” a Korea Heritage Service official instructed The Korea Herald, noting Korea has not seen its earlier 22 nominations face setbacks at a committee assembly.
Jang making, the most recent entry from Korea to be included within the UNESCO record of intangible cultural heritage, is believed to have been practiced on the Korean Peninsula since as early because the Three Kingdoms period from 57 BCE to 668 AD, earlier than the Silla Kingdom unified the peninsula.
Jang traditions continued by way of the Joseon period (1392-1910). Joseon officers who dealt with the storage of jang ranked greater than their friends accountable for the royal kitchen, testifying to jang’s significance.
What units jang other than related condiments in China and Japan is the actual fact soybeans, the central ingredient, are fermented. These dried fermented soybeans, referred to as “meju,” function the premise of types of jang, akin to doenjang (soybean paste), ganjang (soy sauce) and gochujang (chili paste).
Within the determination Thursday, the Analysis Physique acknowledged that the jang making tradition characterizes the Korean culinary custom, along with the standard staples of rice and kimchi. Households preserve their very own style and strategies for jang making, reflecting distinctive household histories and traditions.
The Analysis Physique mentioned it anticipated to see a spike in demand for soybeans as soon as UNESCO formally acknowledges jang making.
This, in flip, would assist advance meals safety and a extra sustainable agricultural trade, the physique famous. It added that jang making is a collective motion that solidifies peace and bonds communities.
The Korea Heritage Service mentioned preparations are underway so as to add conventional data and expertise related to the manufacturing of “hanji” in Korea to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage record. Hanji, or conventional Korean mulberry paper, is extensively used, “from eco-friendly constructing supplies to family merchandise and creative actions,” based on the company.
The company, which submitted the applying for hanji’s itemizing in March, mentioned it anticipated to see a choice by December 2026.
Presently, “talchum” or a masks performing artwork that encompasses dance, music and theater, and “pansori,” one other performing artwork that highlights the vocal artwork of narrative singing, had been acknowledged on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage record in 2022 and 2003, respectively.
