Heritage

Heritage refers to the traditions, objects, and culture that are passed down from one generation to the next. It can include tangible items such as buildings, monuments, landscapes, books, works of art, and artifacts. It can also include intangible elements such as folklore, traditions, language, and knowledge.

Definition

The term Heritage is derived from the French word "héritage", which means something that is passed down from previous generations. In the context of culture, heritage refers to the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations.

Types of Heritage

Heritage can be divided into two main types: tangible and intangible.

Tangible Heritage

Tangible heritage includes physical objects and spaces that have cultural, historical, or archaeological significance. This can include historic buildings, monuments, artifacts, landscapes, and cultural property.

Intangible Heritage

Intangible heritage includes practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artifacts and cultural spaces associated with them – that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. This can include folklore, traditions, language, and knowledge.

Importance of Heritage

Heritage plays a crucial role in defining the identity of a community or a nation. It represents a shared bond that links individuals to their past, and provides a foundation for their cultural identity. Heritage also has educational value, as it can provide insights into the history, culture, and values of a society.

Preservation of Heritage

The preservation of heritage is important for maintaining the cultural diversity in the face of growing globalization. An understanding of the intangible cultural heritage of different communities helps with intercultural dialogue, and encourages mutual respect for other ways of life.

See Also

• Cultural Heritage
• World Heritage Sites
• Heritage Conservation
• Heritage Tourism

References

Heritage Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? WikiMD's DocFinder can help find general and specialist physicians.	Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials.