The Making of an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Hong Kong: Tai O Dragon Boat Parade

In 2006, the UNESCO’s “Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage” was adopted in China, and the Hong Kong Government has followed the convention to create the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) system in Hong Kong. In nine years, Hong Kong now has 10 ICH items on the national list and also has created its own inventory list of 210 items. ICH becomes a new system in Hong Kong, however, the Chinese government, Hong Kong governments, and the local communities have very different understandings and expectations of it. On the other hand, ICH has become a new cultural resource that local communities want to obtain. By examining some ICH cases, the paper will investigate the process of how local traditions and practices are given the titles of ICH items and how local communities are reacting to this new system.