The World Monuments has recently published its 2010 Watch List and many of the sites are sacred. A partial list includes diverse sites such as Aghjots Monastery in Armenia, Pakistan’s Petroglyphs in the Diamer-Basha Dam Area, Todos Santos Complex in Cuenca, Equador, and the Old Mosque of Shali Fortress in Siwa Oasis. For more information, visit the World Monuments Fund.
UNESCO’s List of Intangible Culture Inscribes Sacred Kaya Forests
The latest UNESCO list of Intangible Culture includes several sacred sites and sacred traditions. The Committee considered these cultural elements as endangered despite the efforts of the communities or groups concerned. Following the inscription, States concerned will implement specific safeguarding plans, as indicated in their nomination files. Intangible cultural elements in need of urgent safeguarding will be eligible for financial assistance from the Fund established to this end.
We can thank the National Museums of Kenya for their efforts in nominating the forests and for the efforts of scholars such as Celia Nyamweru who has been working with the Coastal Forests Conservation Unit, a division of the National Museums of Kenya. Visit the Sacred Sites Map on this website by clicking here for more information on Kaya Forests in an article by Celia Nyamweru.