Preserving Cultural Heritage : Plan to nominate Htamane for UNESCO recognition

Myanmar plans to nominate its traditional Htamane practice for UNESCO recognition as part of efforts to preserve and promote the country’s cultural heritage.

Htamane is a traditional Myanmar delicacy made from glutinous rice, sesame seeds, peanuts, coconut shavings, ginger and cooking oil. The dish is traditionally prepared communally during the cool season, particularly at pagodas and monasteries, where people gather to cook large batches together as part of religious and social celebrations.

The move follows the inscription of Myanmar’s traditional Thingyan Water Festival on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024. Myanmar has also resubmitted its nomination for the traditional practice of applying Thanaka, with a final decision on its acceptance expected in December 2026.

This year, Laphet has also been nominated to UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage element. Under UNESCO guidelines, member countries are generally permitted to submit only one cultural element for intangible cultural heritage recognition each year, or alternatively, one submission every two years. Myanmar has documented a total of 2,289 cultural heritage elements at the national level.