L’équitation de tradition française. Diffusion et appropriation d’un patrimoine culturel immatériel

Abstract

Equitation in the French tradition has been registered on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO since 2011. This inscription enshrines a French history of equestrian practices and cultures but has difficulties to extend beyond the limits of the Cadre Noir of Saumur, the institution that has been the bearer of the nomination and is considered the most representative community of this heritage. Moreover, due to UNESCO's particular mistrust toward any elitism, the diffusion of Equitation in the French tradition and the recognition of an enlarged community are the main objectives of the follow-up of the inscription. This article explores the question of the diffusion and appropriation of equitation in the French tradition based on a survey carried out in three cities that have structured their heritage identities around the horse. It analyzes the strategies employed for the diffusion of this heritage and shows the obstacles to its diffusion. It also questions the role of tourism in this process. Around these issues, it is finally a question of contributing to an anthropology of cultural constructions and cultural transmissions that take place in the context of the still relatively new development of intangible cultural heritage.

Keywords

• intangible cultural heritage
• tourism
• UNESCO
• riding