Art of the Kobyz and the Jyrrau Tradition Inscribed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The art of crafting the kobyz and performing on this ancient bowed string instrument has been inscribed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

The announcement was made by the UNESCO Office in Uzbekistan.

The decision was adopted at the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which opened on 8 December in New Delhi (India), the Dunyo agency reported.

According to UNESCO, the rich cultural heritage of Karakalpakstan — in particular the art of kobyz-making and the jyrrau performing tradition — is currently facing serious challenges. “This heritage is under threat due to a declining number of skilled craftsmen, limited awareness among young people, and difficulties in transmitting knowledge to future generations,” the organization noted.

A jyrrau is a traditional performer who combines singing and recitation of epic works, accompanied by the kobyz — one of the oldest musical instruments of the Turkic peoples.

The art of the kobyz was among 12 elements presented to UNESCO that were recognized as requiring urgent safeguarding.

For the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, 54 nominations were selected this year. Among them is a multinational submission by Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan for the element “Traditional knowledge and skills of crafting the Karakalpak yurt.”

Earlier, the UNESCO Office in Uzbekistan, together with the Ministry of Culture, produced a documentary film on the musical traditions of the kobyz and jyrrau aimed at preserving and promoting the region’s unique cultural heritage.