December began with very good news for Cuban culture: The knowledge of the rum masters was included in the representative list of the intangible heritage of mankind. This signifies international recognition of a practice passed down from generation to generation since the 19th century that remains sane and identifies a guild custodian of knowledge that has had a major impact on national industry, economy and Cuban culture.
Proceeding from the remarkable development of the sugar industry in the country, the production of light rum began in the mid-19th century, and with it the appearance of a fundamental figure for its manufacture: the master rum maker. Since then he has combined traditional knowledge, experience and innovation to seal the character of his products and continue a tradition bequeathed to other masters. Its creation requires a long process, during which it also consolidates its commitment to rum culture and promotes the cohesion of a specialized community dedicated to preserving knowledge, giving them a sense of identity and continuity that makes work beyond the commercial Purpose guaranteed.
This year, the knowledge of Cuban light rum, were recognized along with 47 other intangible cultural assets from different countries which generally represent an example of the great wealth and cultural diversity that exists in the world. As in other editions, elements as diverse as the traditional wisdom of embroidery in the United Arab Emirates have been incorporated; Ortéké, a traditional scenic art in Kazakhstan; the manual ringing of bells in Spain; and the oral traditions of calling camel herds in Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates; among other.
With its inscription on the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, The production of Cuban rum is gaining visibility along with other well-known practices such as the craft and culture of the baguette in France and the traditional tea-making techniques in China and the social practices associated with them. They all involve the recognition of a living heritage perpetuated by a practice, a knowledge, its stewards and the technical infrastructure designed for it. It also appreciates what it has created in establishing social relationships, habits and customs and in identifying a product that is linked to a specific community but not without international reach.
According to the file presented in the candidacy of knowledge of light rum, in which the current rum masters have participated, this practice has been introduced in very specific points of the country, such as: B.: Pinar del Río, Santa Cruz del Norte, San José de las Lajas, Cárdenas, Villa Clara and Santiago de Cuba, where he was born.
The admission and training of teachers as carriers of this knowledge and members of a professional community is selective, takes up the entire adult life and is conditioned by their moral and work behavior. Your training within the guild is seen as an ongoing learning process that includes knowledge and protection of the aging cellars and their contents, the history of each cask and mastery of the blends that bring out the different aspects, aromas, flavors and textures of the wine.
This knowledge includes a code of ethics that encapsulates a series of unwritten guidelines for public and private conduct focused on respect for Cuban rum culture, its history and best practices, transcending brands and the market to become a way of life. There are currently two first master rum makers in Cuba, seven masters and five apprentices (five women and nine men). The first two are the community leaders who design and coordinate production strategies. As a community, they also share with other teachers from around the world.
The knowledge of the Cuban rum masters and the production sites where their knowledge is passed on have already been declared a cultural heritage of the Cuban nation., in 2016. This condition is analogous to that recently awarded by UNESCO, but at the national level, after being approved by the National Council for Cultural Heritage and the National Commission for the Protection of Cuba’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. This declaration constitutes an important measure to identify and protect assets of this type, for which current Cuban legislation does not define specific measures. Another similar legacy that also benefits from the same declaration are the tobacconist readings, an industrial tradition with widespread recognition registered in 2012.
Both the national declaration and that of UNESCO not only contribute to enhancing the knowledge and visibility of Cuban light rum, but also represent a commitment signed by the State to protect it. This is perhaps the most important part, as it requires due diligence by following the guidelines developed for each type of heritage. All of this is regularly inspected by UNESCO to preserve the heritage status it has been granted.
In this case The state has pledged to comply with 22 measures of different types including: granting of legal personality to the Movement of Cuban Master Rum Makers; reviewing the regulations in force to adapt them to union demands; to systematically review the regulatory technical documents of rum production so that they reflect the new insights of the teaching community; to ensure that the development of products destined to expand markets is not done with the backs of master rum producers, nor that the codes of advertising campaigns are alien to the values of Cuban rum culture and community; Ensuring the participation of the union in the investment and development plans of the associated industrial areas and ensuring their preservation.