Ghana’s Highlife Music Added to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List

Ghana’s Highlife music and dance has been inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

The announcement was made during the 20th UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee session, held at New Delhi’s Red Fort from December 8–13.

This is a monumental recognition of Ghana’s musical genius, cultural identity, and global influence.

“Congratulations to all culture bearers, creators, and communities who keep Highlife alive,” UNESCO Ghana said in a Facebook post.

Highlife music and dance is a popular form of musical expression and storytelling known for its lively rhythms, lyrics and strong connection to everyday life.

It features a mix of instruments, including guitars, horns, drums, xylophones and percussion.

The music is often built around call-and-response singing, with the lead singer echoed by a chorus of backup singers, and is performed in many local languages, as well as in English and Pidgin.

It is performed during weddings, funerals, festivals and naming ceremonies, often with lyrics that reflect current social issues such as health, education, relationships and social norms and challenges.

The Intangible Cultural Heritage dataset presents elements inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List, including traditional practices, skills, and expressions that define cultural identities.

It features detailed information on cultural elements from various countries, their inscriptions, and the year of listing.

The dataset highlights humanity’s shared heritage and promotes the safeguarding of cultural diversity.

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