Rural Development through Community Based Tourism: an Assessment of Jaffna District with Reference to Intangible Cultural Heritage

Abstract

This article demonstrates how intangible cultural heritage (ICH) could contribute to the rural development by reviewing six ICH assets: handicrafts and visual arts that demonstrate traditional craftsmanship; gastronomy and culinary practices; social practices, rituals and festive events; music and the performing arts; oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of intangible cultural heritage and knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe.