On December 11, 2025, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially inscribed the Hezhen Yimakan storytelling tradition from the Chinese mainland’s Heilongjiang region onto its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 🎉
The Hezhen people, one of the 56 ethnic groups recognized in the Chinese mainland, have preserved Yimakan as a living treasure. Performers weave stories about the Amur River’s wildlife, ancestral heroes and clan customs, using distinctive rhythms and melodic chants that connect listeners to their rich cultural roots.
Yimakan first caught UNESCO’s attention in 2011, when it was added to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Since then, community leaders, artists and cultural institutions in the Chinese mainland have worked hand in hand to revitalize this tradition—organizing training workshops, public performances and school programs to inspire a new generation of storytellers.
"This inscription is a milestone," says a spokesperson from the Heilongjiang Hezhen Culture Center. "It not only honors our ancestors' creativity but also motivates young people to learn, share and carry Yimakan into the future."
For travelers and culture enthusiasts, experiencing a live Yimakan performance offers a unique window into the Hezhen worldview. Many workshops and festivals now invite visitors to join interactive sessions—making it easier than ever to explore this dynamic art form on the ground.
As Yimakan storytelling takes its place on the global stage, the Hezhen community looks forward to new collaborations, exchanges and digital projects that will ensure these stories continue to resonate—echoing along the riverbanks and beyond for years to come. 🌟
Reference(s):
China's Hezhen Yimakan storytelling added to UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list
cgtn.com
