Safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage of Cheung Chau: research and assessment of the School-based approach

Abstract

The Jiao Festival of Cheung Chau is the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) that falls within the domain of “Social practice, rituals and festive events”, and is also successfully inscribed onto the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Operational Directives in the UNESCO’s Representative List of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity requires “Using appropriate approach to put Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity studies into formal curriculum”. Thus, the Buddhist Wai Yan Memorial College in Cheung Chau carries out a study on ICH in Cheung Chau by adopting cross-disciplinary method which involves whole school participation. This leads students exploring ICH items in Cheung Chau and understanding the attached meanings and way of transmitting ICH. This paper will share the experiences and discuss the challenges faced by the teachers and schools implementing the curriculum.