Practices and traditions

Practices, traditions and customs are all forms of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). These are nonphysical, intellectual forms that were developed in the past, are still practised, and that people want to hand down to future generations. Processions, pilgrimages and all kinds of popular devotion are just a few examples. Intangible heritage lives and flourishes among people. It is in their heads and it is in their hands. As times change, people change; their intangible heritage adapts and changes with them.

To guarantee a future you have to ensure that future generations will want to continue to participate in your heritage practices. If they do not, these practices will become obsolete and be forgotten. In other words, your intangible heritage will be lost. Sometimes, conscious steps have to be taken to ensure that your heritage practices remain relevant and that people want to participate.