As you probably know, there are many different sports in the world, some are modern, some are traditional, some are international, and some are local. But did you know that there are sports that are not only sports, but also intangible cultural heritage?
Intangible cultural heritage refers to the knowledge and practices of oral traditions, performing arts, social customs, rituals, festivals, nature and the universe, as well as the knowledge and skills of traditional crafts, that are inherited from ancestors and passed on to future generations. These heritages reflect the cultural diversity and creativity of humanity and are the common wealth of humanity.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has developed the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which aims to protect and promote the transmission and development of this heritage. The Convention establishes two lists, the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
In both lists, quite a few sports are listed, such as:
Tai Chi: A martial art originating from China that combines the philosophical ideas of the five elements of yin and yang with the breathing method of qigong, it has the effect of strengthening the body and defending the body.
Dragon Boat Racing: A water sport that originated in China in honor of the ancient patriotic poet Qu Yuan, held every year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, symbolizing unity and harmony.
Equestrian: A sport of horseback riding originating in Central Asia, including polo, horseback wrestling, horseback archery, and other sports, which embodies the intimate relationship between man and horse and respect for nature.
Wrestling: A combat sport that originated from multiple regions with different styles and rules, such as oil wrestling in Turkey, sumo wrestling in Japan, buha wrestling in Mongolia, etc., showing human strength and skill.
Football: A ball game of European origin, in which two teams kick the ball into the opponent's goal with their feet or other parts of their body (except the arms), it is one of the most popular sports in the world.
These sports are not only a form of entertainment and competition, but also a cultural and social expression. They carry on history and tradition, but also reflect modernity and innovation. They promote communication and understanding between different groups and countries, and also enhance people's physical and mental health and moral development.