This domain encompasses numerous areas such as traditional ecological wisdom, indigenous knowledge, ethnobiology, ethnobotany, ethnozoology, traditional healing systems and pharmacopeia, rituals, foodways, beliefs, esoteric sciences, initiatory rites, divinations, cosmologies, cosmogonies, shamanism, possession rites, social organizations, festivals, languages, as well as visual arts.

5. Traditional craftsmanship

"Traditional craftsmanship" seems in many ways to be the most tangible of domains in which intangible heritage is expressed, but the focus of the Convention is not on craft products as such, but rather on the skills and knowledge crucial for their ongoing production. Any efforts to safeguard traditional craftsmanship must focus not on preserving craft objects - no matter how beautiful, precious, rare or important they might be - but on creating conditions that will encourage artisans to continue to produce crafts of all kinds, and to transmit their skills and knowledge to others, especially younger members of their own communities.

Traditional craftsmanship is expressed in many forms: clothing and jewellery to protect or adorn the body; costumes and props required for festivals or performing arts; objects used for storage, transport, and shelter; decorative arts and ritual objects; musical instruments and household utensils; toys meant to amuse or educate, and tools vital to subsistence or survival. Many such objects are ephemeral, intended to last only as long as the community festival or family rite for which they are made. Others become keepsakes, handed down as precious heirlooms and used as models for ongoing creativity. The skills and knowledge required for artisanry to continue are sometimes as delicate as a paper votive or sand drawing, but often as robust and resilient as a sturdy basket or thick blanket.