Translated with AI
The national nomination of the Republic of Tajikistan "Culture of Sumanak Preparation" has been included on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The decision was made on December 10 in New Delhi during the 20th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan.
As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes, the nomination was prepared by the National Commission for UNESCO and submitted to the organization for consideration in 2023.
The culture of making sumanak is a communal, hours-long ritual traditionally associated with the celebration of Nowruz and symbolizing unity, patience, and the arrival of spring. The process involves sprouting wheat, grinding it, and cooking it for 20–24 hours.
Traditionally, women take turns stirring the dish in a large cauldron, accompanying the process with songs, dances, and wish-making. The patterns that form on the surface of the finished dish are traditionally interpreted as omens. To prevent burning, stones or nuts are placed on the bottom of the cauldron. It is believed that if someone comes across a stone while eating the dish, it means a wish will come true.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the inclusion of the nomination on the UNESCO Representative List promotes international recognition and the preservation of traditions associated with the cultural heritage of the Tajik people.
