This book explores creative and historical traditional food of the world through the articles provided by sixteen authors from different countries. Food is a critical element in human life and is intimately linked to the history and identity of individuals and communities. Traditional food and food ways of a community, region, or an ethnic group have become unique practices through close interactions reflecting the diverse features of the community, including the natural environment, society, politics, economy, and culture. Traditional food and food ways are then firmly embedded in the community while they are transmitted, adapted, and recreated across generations. As such, traditional food is an indispensable element in communal life and is the root of life. This book presents information on ICH reflected in traditional food and allows readers to explore the intangible value of traditional food through historical backgrounds and stories concerning the food.

This book is the outcomes of the 2020 Expert Meeting for Building Network on Maritime ICH, or ICH Webinar Series on Maritime ICH, which held on October 29-30, 2020. It was hosted by ICHCAP in collaboration with UNESCO Apia Office and sponsored by the Cultural Heritage Administration of the Republic of Korea. The theme of the webinar series is “Maritime Living Heritage – Building Sustainable Livelihoods and Ecosystems in the Asia-Pacific Region.”\n\nThe webinar is divided into two sessions, in which scholars, relevant NGOs, and practitioners of maritime ICH were invited to present cases and studies on the state of maritime ICH in the region, as well as relevant safeguarding activities. On the first day of the webinar, it focuses on traditional maritime skills and knowledge for inclusive social and economic development. On the second day, it examines how living heritage is used to enhance environmental sustainability and to achieve resilience.

The concept behind the book is to give the readers a taste of the rich diversity that can be found in traditional medicine practices and the experiences from a number of different perspectives, places and cultures. All the authors acknowledge that for well-being and treatment of illness, traditional medicine has an important complimentary role alongside modern medicine. It is hoped that this publication will contribute to the valuable sharing of experiences regarding the safeguarding of traditional practices, and the wider recognition of the role of traditional medicine in different contexts and cultures.

Present Promotional book was developed by experts of Uzbekistan in line with provision of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003). The Promotional book is the output of the joint cooperation project between National Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan for UNESCO and ICHCAP under the title of “Publishing an ICH Promotional Book in Uzbekistan”.

"“Intangible Cultural Heritage NGO’s Strategy in Achieving Sustainable Development: Goal 2. Zero Hunger” is the 3rd outcome of ICHCAP’s Project PINA, or Project Promoting ICH Safeguarding Activities of NGOs in the Asia-Pacific Region.\n\nThis book is a collection of eight selected NGO activities on ICH that are vital to achieving food security from six countries namely, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Tajikistan, and Viet Nam. It provides an opportunity to look into community-based NGO activities and experience that greatly contribute to the promotion of local communities’ welfare by revitalizing and transmitting ICH. Significantly, their approach emphasizes the relationship between ICH and SDG 2: Zero Hunger through their projects on food security and improved nutrition, and sustainable agriculture.\n\nICHCAP hopes that local, regional, and global public awareness about NGOs and their ICH safeguarding activities in the Asia-Pacific region will be substantially raised by this book."

The book describes different elements of Bhutanese intangible culture under five chapters. Learning, studying, promoting and transmitting the Bhutanese culture, and its essence — the intangible cultural heritage — is a sublime obligation for each and every Bhutanese today. This book will not only serve as a basic manual for the study of the ICH of Bhutan for the future generations, but also inspire them to renew and share their awareness of (and engagement in) the research of our culture and traditions.