IOV World

Cultural explorer

Find a practice through place and context.

Search a growing set of cultural records from the IOV network. The collection is deliberately small while sources, permissions and community context are reviewed.

A Korean ensemble in performance dress poses together with drums and gongs in a city square.
An ensemble gathers with drums and gongs before a public performance.IOV-supplied archive · original file Folkart27.jpg · photographer and reuse terms not recorded

Collection index

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  1. Mongolian musicians and singers perform long song on stage in traditional dress.

    Photo: LittleT889 · CC BY 4.0

    Performing Arts

    Mongolia · Asia

    Mongolian Long Song

    An expansive vocal tradition shaped by nomadic life, landscape and intergenerational transmission.

    Open record
  2. A Bolivian artisan works beside a brightly coloured textile on a traditional loom.

    Photo: Pixelchic1994 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Traditional Craft

    Bolivia · Americas

    Andean Weaving Knowledge

    Textile knowledge in which colour, fibre and pattern carry local identity and memory.

    Open record
  3. A lion-dance team performs on raised poles in Foshan, China.

    Photo: David Chen (Iamdavidtheking) · CC BY 3.0

    Performing Arts

    China · Asia

    Chinese Lion Dance

    A communal performance bringing music, movement and craftsmanship into public celebration.

    Open record
  4. A large community takes part in the Ikariotiko dance at a festival on Ikaria.

    Photo: Chrysadthi · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Social Practices

    Greece · Europe

    Greek Community Dance

    Collective dances that connect music, place and community celebrations across generations.

    Open record
  5. An Emirati craftswoman decorates a vivid red textile by hand.

    Photo: Kaiser Firdhous · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Traditional Craft

    United Arab Emirates · Middle East & North Africa

    Emirati Craft Heritage

    Making practices sustained through skilled hands, family knowledge and cultural institutions.

    Open record
  6. Oguaa drummers perform together during Fetu Afahye in Cape Coast, Ghana.

    Photo: Fiifiabban · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Oral Traditions

    Ghana · Africa

    West African Drumming Traditions

    Rhythm as shared language for ceremony, storytelling, learning and collective identity.

    Open record
  7. Young Romanian dancers join hands in embroidered festival dress.

    Photo: ShadowNighy · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Social Practices

    Romania · Europe

    Romanian Folk Dress & Dance

    Regional dress, music and movement preserve community knowledge through public celebration.

    Open record
  8. Musicians and dancers perform Awa Odori before a street audience in Tokushima.

    Photo: Kounosu · CC BY-SA 3.0

    Festivals

    Japan · Asia

    Japanese Festival Arts

    Local celebrations unite performance, material culture and neighbourhood participation.

    Open record
  9. A vast Garba gathering fills a festival ground in Vadodara, Gujarat.

    Photo: Saurabh Sirohiya · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Performing Arts

    India · Asia

    Community Dance in India

    Group dance brings rhythm, dress and collective memory together in community celebration.

    Open record
  10. A pair performs Jarabe Tapatío in colourful traditional dress in Jalisco.

    Photo: Mike.isilra · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Performing Arts

    Mexico · Americas

    Mexican Folk Dance

    Music, movement and regional clothing create a vivid public expression of community identity.

    Open record

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Place
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Community
Records identify the people or organisations connected to the practice when that information is available.
Source & rights
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