The Art of the Karakalpak Kobyz Inscribed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding
The art of making and performing the Karakalpak kobyz has been officially inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
This historic decision was unanimously approved by the participants of the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, currently taking place in the capital of India.
This landmark event is the result of Uzbekistan’s consistent and targeted efforts and highlights the international recognition of the unique cultural tradition of Karakalpakstan.
The inscription of the art of the kobyz became the sixteenth element of Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage to be included in UNESCO’s various heritage lists, reaffirming the country’s status as one of the world’s centers of ancient civilization and rich cultural diversity.
The kobyz is an ancient bowed string musical instrument widely found among Turkic peoples, particularly the Karakalpaks, Kazakhs, and Kyrgyz. The Karakalpak kobyz is traditionally carved from a single piece of wood (often mulberry), features two strings made of horsehair, and produces a deep, sacred sound.
Jyrau are Karakalpak storytellers and poets who perform epic poems (dastans) and historical narratives accompanied by the kobyz. The jyrau tradition represents a unique synthesis of musical and poetic art, conveying the history, philosophy, and spiritual values of the Karakalpak people.
Inscription on the List of Urgent Safeguarding is essential, as this tradition, despite its great cultural significance, faces the risk of disappearance due to the declining number of instrument makers and performers.
Participants of the session emphasized the importance of preserving this unique tradition for future generations.
The session of the Intergovernmental Committee continues, with several upcoming events planned to highlight the significance of Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage.
In particular, a side event entitled “Reviving the Sacred Voice: the Kobyz and the Epic Jyrau Tradition of Karakalpakstan” will take place today. The program includes live performances by distinguished jyrau storytellers Bakbergen Syrimbetov and Dauranbek Yendirbekov, the screening of the documentary “Melodies of the Ancestors: the Kobyz and the Jyrau”, and a live demonstration of kobyz-making by master craftsman Marat Jaksymuratov.
On 12 December, the session will consider the inclusion of the joint nomination of Karakalpak, Kazakh, and Kyrgyz yurts in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, marking another important step toward strengthening regional cultural cooperation.
