Malian musical instrument M'bolon listed as Intangible Heritage of Humanity
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - Malian musical instrumdnt, the M'bolon, a traditional musical instrument emblematic of the Manding world, has been listed as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), PANA learned from the Malian Ministry of Culture.
A percussion instrument consisting of a large soundbox made of a calabash covered with cowhide, topped by an arched wooden handle with strings, the M'Bolon is used in several traditional settings in Mali to encourage farmers during fieldwork or to galvanise warriors in times of conflict.
Moussa Cissé, adviser to the Malian Delegation to UNESCO, said that the M'Bolon, whose origins date back to Mandé Boukary in the 13th century, is now threatened with extinction.
Its inclusion in the World Heritage List by UNESCO aims to safeguard it "as a matter of urgency and allow the transmission to current and future generations of its design and all the ritual of its use".
In addition to the M'bolon, several symbols of African culture were inscribed by UNESCO as intangible heritage of humanity, during its 16th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage, including Ceebu jën, a Senegalese dish made from fish, rice, dried fish, mollusks and vegetables.
UNESCO has also inscribed on this list, the Congolese Rumba, a musical and dance genre shared by the Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo.
-0- PANA GT/JSG/SOC/MTA/MA 21Dec202
