Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Belgian beer culture made the list - almost 1,500 different types are produced in the country

Unesco, the UN's culture and education arm is meeting in Ethiopia's capital to name the world's "cultural intangibles" - traditions and social practices unique to specific countries.

Unesco says cultural traditions must remain relevant to be "kept alive" and that naming them helps with that.

They also say the "cultural intangibles" list encourages traditions to be passed down to future generations.

What sort of things made the list?

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Some of the divers are in their 80s

On the Korean island of Jeju, female divers known as Jeju Haenyeo gather shellfish for a living. The divers can harvest for up to seven hours a day and hold their breath during their 10 metre dives. Prayers are said for safety before the dive and the tradition is passed down in families. Unesco says the practice "advances women's status in the community" and promotes sustainability.

Image copyright EPA Image caption The Rumba incorporates elements of Antillean culture and Spanish flamenco

The Cuban Rumba, a music and dance combination, originally developed across the country in poor neighbourhoods and shanty towns. Unesco says the Rumba is "an expression of resistance and self-esteem while evoking grace, sensuality and joy to connect people".

Image copyright AFP Image caption The structures often provide a satirical or ironic look at local and international problems

Las Fallas festival in Valencia, Spain, marks the coming of spring. From 14-19 March, giant papier-mache structures are constructed throughout the town and on the last night of the festival the structures are set alight. The festival is accompanied by marching bands, outdoor meals and fireworks.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Street rituals take place to encourage "peaceful communities"

Afghanistan's Nowruz festival marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Persian calendar. The festival is also celebrated across Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and includes special meals and family visits.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Tens of thousands of competitors try to catch fish during the festival

The Argungu international fishing festival in northern Nigeria brings together tens of thousands of fisherman for four days. The festival includes water competitions, canoe racing, duck catching and local wrestling and boxing competitions. Men and boys participate while women encourage competitors with song and dance.

Image copyright © UNESCO/Ahmed Abdullatif Image caption The dance is performed by the Hijazi community

Almezmar is a traditional dance performed by Saudis from the Hijazi community for festive occasions. Some 15-100 performers dressed in white twirl long sticks, beat drums and clap to songs about love and generosity.

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Yoga is practiced throughout India for its physical and spiritual benefits

The ancient Indian practice of yoga has influenced Indian health, education, medicine and art. Yoga seeks to unify the mind, body and soul for a greater mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing. The practice consists of poses, controlled breathing, mediation and chanting.</s>In a diplomatic triumph for India, an intergovernmental committee of the United Nations has inscribed yoga in UNESCO's Representative List as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

"This declaration of yoga as a 'Human Treasure' enjoyed the unanimous support of 24-member Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which overturned the decision of an evaluation body of technical experts, seeking to defer the case to the next session of the committee in 2017," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said on Thursday.

The tag emphasises yoga's role as a social practice, an oral tradition and a system of ancient and scientific knowledge, facilitating an enhanced harmony and peace across caste, creed, gender, age and nationality, he said.

The eleventh session of the Intergovernmental Committee is being held in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, from November 28 to December 2.

The inscription and classification as a 'human treasure' brings immense recognition to yoga, as it went through rigorous criteria set out by UNESCO, the only UN body mandated to capture the intangible aspects of culture, Swarup said.

Additionally, the inscription enables a bottoms-up empowerment, as it directs the spotlight towards the numerous institutions and communities in India disseminating this ancient tradition, he said.

"As well, it can potentially foment a dialogue on the ideas of peace and tolerance, how these can be extended to meet the goals of sustainable development and where India can play a leading role in this global dialogue on intercultural relations," he added.

Recognising its universal appeal, in December 2014, the United Nations had proclaimed June 21 as International Yoga Day.

The core functions of the Committee are to promote the objectives of the Convention (for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage), provide guidance on best practices and make recommendations on measures for safeguarding it.

"Huge achievement for India. #YOGA as an element has been inscribed in the @UNESCO list of Intangible #CulturalHeritage of the World.

"All 24 Member Countries of IGC supported and it was a unanimous decision," Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma tweeted.

The delegation from India that attended the Intergovernmental Committee Meeting was lead by the country's permanent representative to UNESCO, Ruchira Kamboj, and Cutlure Ministry Joint Secretary M L Srivastava, the ministry said in a release.

"Never ever happened before! After #Yoga inscription, entire conference does Yogic breathing," Kamboj tweeted.

Yoga has become the 13th intangible cultural heritage from the country that has been listed with UNESCO so far.

Other intangible cultural heritage that has been listed from India include the Chhau dance (inscribed in 2010), the Buddhist chanting of Ladakh (2012), Sankirtana - the ritual singing, drumming, and dancing of Manipur (2013); the traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab (2014); and Ramlila -- the traditional performance of the Ramayana (2008).</s>Ministry of external affairs said, “In a diplomatic triumph for India, the Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has inscribed Yoga in Unesco’s Representative List as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity." (Representational image)

New Delhi: In what India has termed as a “diplomatic triumph” for it, Yoga has joined the Unesco’s list of “Intangible” Cultural Heritage of Humanity after an Indian proposal in this regard was unanimously supported by all the 24 members of the Intergovernmental Committee of the body at its session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This comes after the UN declared June 21 as the International Yoga Day in 2014. Yoga thus becomes the 13th intangible cultural heritage that has been listed from India so far with Unesco, according to a statement by the ministry of culture.

Centre gave push after Yoga Day

 In a statement, the ministry of external affairs said, “In a diplomatic triumph for India, the Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has inscribed Yoga in Unesco’s Representative List as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This Declaration of Yoga as a ‘Human Treasure’ enjoyed the unanimous support of the 24-member inter-governmental Committee which overturned the decision of an Evaluation Body of technical experts, seeking to defer the case to the next session of the Committee in 2017.”

India’s existing entries include the Chhau dance (inscribed in 2010), the Buddhist chanting of Ladakh (2012), Sankirtana (the ritual singing, drumming, and the dancing of Manipur (2013), the traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab (2014), and Ramlila )the traditional performance of the Ramayana (2008).

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has played a key role in having the United Nation declare June 21 as the International Yoga Day in 2014. The Government of India has been taking forward the momentum created by celebration of International Yoga Day in 2015 and 2016. The government has continuously been promoting Yoga as a human treasure and a key to noble health,” the culture ministry added.</s>HEAD STAND: Hervey Bay's Shannon Payne loves the benefits of yoga for his mental and physical health.

SHANNON Payne isn't your typical yogi - he's a growing breed in the yoga world as more blokes give it a go.

The Hervey Bay pharmacist can now recommend yoga to other men and his biggest tip to other guys is don't put it off.

"It took me months to actually get to a class and what do you know, it wasn't scary,” Shannon said.

"I used to do kickboxing but had hip troubles and even after surgery had limited movement,” he said.

Shannon has noticed improvements with his movement and flexibility, along with the added bonus of less pain in his joints and muscles.

On Sunday, Shannon will be heading along to Ocean Tree Yoga Studio in Hervey Bay for a workshop dedicated to men.

Teacher Rhian Hunter said more and more medical professionals were steering people in the direction of yoga for it's physical and mental benefits and to help out with rehabilitation.

The two-hour workshop will introduce men to both Hatha and Vinyassa yoga with the physical benefits of core strength, alignment and balance just to name some of the benefits.

"The real benefits come from the breath work and meditation, which helps us to cope with stress and anxiety in our modern world.”

The workshop is from 8.30am-10.30am and will cost $25 per person. Call Rhian to book on 0424 025 429.</s>BISHKEK (TCA) — The celebration of Navruz, the New Year holiday shared by 12 countries including in Central Asia, was inscribed on November 30 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO, following the decisions adopted by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage which took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, UNESCO said on its website.

The Representative List includes forms of expression that testify to the diversity of intangible heritage and raises awareness of its importance.



New Year in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan is celebrated on March 21st known as Nauryz, Navruz, Nawrouz, Nevruz, Nooruz, Novruz, Nowrouz or Nowruz. For two weeks, various customs take place including a special meal, family visits, public rituals and street performances to encourage peaceful communities, shared and promoted through participation. 



Nowruz ("New Day" in Persian) has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Western Asia. Nowruz is the day of the vernal equinox, and marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. 



Although having Iranian and religious Zoroastrian origins, Nowruz has been celebrated by people from diverse ethno-linguistic communities for thousands of years. It is a secular holiday for most celebrants that is enjoyed by people of several different faiths, but remains a holy day for Zoroastrians.</s>Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has revealed he introduced yoga at the club when he first arrived in North London.

‘Invincible’ goalkeeper Lehmann has been credited for a major impact on Arsenal when he arrived in 2003, he was the only major signing of that season.

Former team-mates credit him with bringing a winning mentality to Arsene Wenger’s squad but the 47-year-old brought more than just that when he arrived at London Colney.

“When I came here in 2003 my wife went to yoga and took me there,” Lehmann told Goal.

“I thought it was really good and I’ve done it once a week since. When I left in 2008 I was in much better condition than when I arrived but that was also down to a different training routine and gym exercises.

“After leaving I introduced a yoga teacher to Arsenal - she is a good friend of my wife and always went there to give classes. At the beginning there were two or three [players] and now there are a lot of players doing yoga.”

Lehmann’s yoga appeared to have a major impact on his fitness, at 41 years of age he made a comeback at Arsenal as Wenger battled with an injury crisis and became the oldest player for his club in the Premier League era.
Yoga, rumba and Nowruz are classified as 'treasures' by UNESCO.