Djibouti(Mogadishu24)-The Xeer Ciise, an oral customary law of the Somali-Issa community, has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The decision was adopted during the 19th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, held from December 2 to 7 in Asunción, Paraguay.

This milestone recognition is the result of collaborative efforts involving Djibouti’s Ministry of Youth and Culture, local experts, members of the Somali-Issa community, and the governments of Ethiopia and Somalia, with UNESCO’s support.

The Djiboutian delegation, led by Dr. Hibo Moumin Assoweh, Minister of Youth and Culture, celebrated the achievement, describing it as a crucial step in preserving and promoting cultural heritage on both national and regional levels.

The Xeer Ciise is a structured and codified democratic governance system, embodying principles of justice, peace, and solidarity. Transmitted orally across generations, it comprises three key elements:

1. A political constitution that outlines power distribution and decision-making processes.
2. A penal code that emphasizes reconciliation and compensation to ensure justice within the community.
3. A social code of conduct, defining spiritual, social, and ethical principles guiding individual and collective behavior.

The Xeer Ciise plays a vital role in fostering peaceful coexistence within the community and with other ethnic groups. It upholds universal values such as women and children’s rights, environmental preservation, peaceful conflict resolution, and mutual assistance.

Djibouti’s Minister of Youth and Culture emphasized that this recognition highlights the importance of safeguarding ancestral traditions while showcasing their relevance in addressing contemporary challenges.