On December 4, 2024, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially declared the “traditional knowledge and practices for the preparation and consumption of cassava” as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The decision was the result of a joint effort between Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Honduras and Venezuela, who presented a multinational dossier to recognize this traditional food of the region.
The declaration took place during the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Paraguay.
Cassava, a flat bread made from cassava, has been a fundamental element in the diet of the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean since pre-Columbian times. Its preparation involves a set of knowledge and practices that have been transmitted from generation to generation, representing not only a culinary technique, but also the cultural, historical and social legacy of the peoples who have preserved it.
The dossier presented by the five countries involved arduous compilation and documentation work. This achievement constitutes a cultural bridge that unites the peoples in their rich history and cultural identity.
This recognition is the seventh for Cuba in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, evidencing the island's commitment to the preservation of its heritage.
