UNESCO x Royal Enfield undertakes expedition to document Sikkim’s Intangible Cultural Heritage

KUNAL RAI

GANGTOK, : Soreng-Chakung MLA Aditya Golay on Monday flagged-off the third edition of UNESCO x Royal Enfield ‘The Great Himalayan Exploration in Sikkim’, a unique motorcycle expedition dedicated to Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of the Indian Himalayan region.

Also present on the occasion was Education secretary TashiChophel Lepcha, Culture chief engineer Rim Dorjee Lepcha, and others.

In this third edition, the expedition heads to Sikkim, with a special focus on exploring and preserving 10 unique ICH practices of the region through an immersive, rider-led exploration.

The exploration is scheduled between March 3 to April 3 wherein, two groups of rider-researchers will venture into the scenic landscape of Sikkim, interacting closely with local communities and documenting their living heritage.

As defined by UNESCO, Intangible Cultural Heritage is the practices, expressions, knowledge and skills that communities, groups and sometimes individuals recognise as part of their cultural heritage. Also called living cultural heritage, it is usually expressed in one of the following forms: oral traditions; performing arts; social practices, rituals and festive events; knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; and traditional craftsmanship.

Addressing the flag-off ceremony, MLA Aditya Golay shared that this unique collaboration between the Royal Enfield Foundation and UNESCO aims to document and preserve the living cultural heritage of the Indian Himalayas, including practices, skills, performing arts, rituals, and craftsmanship.

“The ride, as informed, will explore 10 cultural practices across Sikkim, with two groups of riders and researchers documenting them through video and immersive participant observation. This project hopes to protect Sikkim’s and the country’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and support sustainable tourism while uplifting the local communities,” said Golay.

The MLA added that Sikkim, with its rich biodiversity and diverse culture, has huge potential to be a global eco-friendly sustainable tourism destination if the right support, guidance and policies are implemented. I am glad that the Royal Enfield Foundation and UNESCO have already started to do its part in making Sikkim so, he said.

We look forward to many more such collaborations in the years to come and I assure everyone that the Government of Sikkim would be delighted to be a part of it, said Golay.

Having kicked off in the Eastern Himalayas in 2022 and the Western Himalayas in 2024, ‘The Great Himalayan Exploration’ endeavours to identify and document 200 Intangible Cultural Heritage practices through a multi-year, never-like-before partnership between Royal Enfield Social Mission and UNESCO. With the help of a chosen few rider-researchers who ride to remote regions of the Himalayas to interact with local communities and their ways of life, so far 60+ practices have been documented across eight Eastern Himalayan states and 12 in Ladakh through 24 explorations.

This unique project presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for rider-researchers to play a pivotal role in preserving the living heritage of the sacred Himalayas. Their dedication to safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage is crucial in fostering resilience and combating climate change.