Naqqāli which is performed by naqqāls (traditional storytellers) is the oldest form of play in the Islamic Republic of Iran that has its origins in ancient Iran. It is a dramatic performance comprising the telling of an historical or legendary story, based on a variety of genres. It plays a role in forming Iranian identity and also has important social and cultural functions. Notably, there is a small community of female naqqāls who perform to mixed audiences and also assist in transmitting the element orally to younger women and girls.
Effectiveness of the safeguarding plan. Three main actions, with a number of sub activities, have been taken towards safeguarding the element. The first was establishing the Naqqāli House in 2015 in northeast Iran (four more are planned). Its activities are geared towards research, training and performance, which include: recordings of oral heritage; engaging bearers and practitioners and providing financial support to them; master-pupil apprenticeship training (and recording it); and re-establishing performances in coffee houses and other appropriate spaces. The second action is establishing a Naqqāli Foundation (still in the planning stage) to process recordings and other information provided by the Naqqāli House(s) and provide it in print and digital formats; as part of the Foundation, an Archive Centre will promote the element and create documentary films. Finally, several naqqāli festivals have also been organized made up of two main sections for traditional performances of naqqāli and modern day works inspired by the play’s traditional conventions.
The establishment of the Naqqāli House proved to be an effective strategy since it can operate as a strategic centre for implementing planned safeguarding activities and devising new and innovative measures, through its membership, which includes many performers as well as other experts. The viability of the element, its status as well as that of the masters, have been strengthened by attracting younger male and female apprentices. It is reported that family members of naqqāls have begun to return to the art since they can now rely on several years of support to do so, allowing the element to become financially viable. A core of trained individuals that has built up seems to now play a key role in undertaking safeguarding activities. The efforts of non-governmental organizations have attracted more audiences, especially outside Tehran.
Community participation. The report states that the aforementioned safeguarding measures were developed with the full participation of bearers of the element from various ethnic groups, their representatives and relevant non-governmental organizations. In addition, the main safeguarding activities of research, promotion and transmission were undertaken with the involvement of naqqāls (12 of whom named are from different provinces and include one woman). Several Iranian theatre experts who work on recording and researching Iranian Naqqāli have also played an important role. In addition to these experts, three non-governmental organizations are mentioned in the report. The Iranian Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization managed the overall process of preparing the report, while attempting to have participation as wide as possible from the various institutional actors (non-governmental, scientific and artistic) all providing reports on their safeguarding activities.
Viability and current risks. The viability of the element has improved since inscription. The number of naqqāls has increased to some degree and traditional modes of transmission have been strengthened. The report mentions that 65 individuals have been trained as naqqāls of whom 24 are women and, although most are living in cities, some come from rural areas. However, no naqqāl can currently support him/herself solely from performing the element. A major aspect to the element’s future viability might be to provide support to naqqāls for their living costs for some time. In addition, in the report it is stated that the international sanctions placed on Iran over the past few years have affected the ability of the government to secure the budget necessary for safeguarding this element.

The Lenj boats which are used for trading, fishing and pearl-diving are built using traditional craft skills and are sailed through the application of traditional knowledge and know-how. In addition, there are a number of ceremonies and customs associated with sailing Lenjes, such as traditional sailor songs, the Fisherman’s New Year and the Shushi (a traditional performing art symbolizing the sailors’ respect for nature) which forms part of that event. Most of the population of the northern Persian Gulf earn their living from the sea. The Lenj element is, therefore, an identity-marker for the local people that gives them pride, and ensures a cohesive social order that preserves peaceful co-existence among their communities.
Effectiveness of the safeguarding plan. The raising of awareness among communities and the wider society on the value and significance of the Lenj element has provided bearers with a sense of pride in their element, a feeling of being respected, and encouraged them and other local communities, groups and individuals to make efforts for its protection. Safeguarding activities are divided into five main categories as follows: i) identification, classification and documentation: using a field survey of the current state of the Lenj element and all its associated aspects; ii) awareness-raising: organizing local performances and enactments of all aspects of the Lenj, including short sea journeys and customs and rituals; iii) capacity-building training: a number of Lenj builders/repairers and experienced captains have been employed to transmit their knowledge, skills and know-how to young people, many of whom are university graduates in engineering, mechanics and industrial design; iv) a database: created by the Research Centre, it lists books, journals, magazines and multimedia on research by universities, other institutions and individuals providing a scientific basis for combining traditional and modern methods of sailing and navigation; v) revitalisation projects including documentaries and other actions to attract young people to the element. Although the traditional knowledge, rituals, festive events, oral culture and performances associated with the Lenj have generally been revived, only a few remaining Lenj building workshops have been restored and no new workshops have been built.
In addition to these safeguarding activities, the report mentions the important effort that has been made to improve the financial situation of bearers. Since 2012, younger captains and sailors have been encouraged to take out private insurance on the basis of arrangements negotiated on their behalf. From 2013, free or low-interest loans have been made available by the Ministry of Constructive Jihad, the main authority for fisheries in Iran, and some provisions concerning bearer pensions have also been adopted.
Community participation. Since inscription, bearers and local communities have become very active in safeguarding the element, presenting some of their own initiatives, collaborating with researchers (e.g. in data collection) and training apprentices. Some urban dwellers (mostly from bearer families) have provided coastal properties to serve as Lenj workshops and the Ebrahimi family gave over their house to be the Research Centre. Two professors of sociology and anthropology have voluntarily assisted in documentation and teaching locals at the Research Centre and several academic experts have organized workshops in maritime law. The report was prepared under the overall direction of the Iranian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organisation operating through its provincial branches. The Research Centre was also directly involved and this helped to bring in local communities who provided documents, photos, videos and other information.

• Viability and current risks__. Building and sailing traditional Lenj boats does show signs of revitalization but the element faces a number of serious threats at the same time. The community of practitioners is very small and generally composed of elderly people who are currently not being substituted by the younger generation. In addition, traditional wooden boats are being replaced by the modern fibreglass variety and the traditional know-how required for building them is being lost as a consequence. It is reported that Lenj boat builders have no trade union, work for only 10 days per month and receive low wages. As a result, young people are not motivated to take up the profession. Knowledge on navigation and sailing Lenjes using for example, a traditional compass, is also being eroded by the accessibility of weather forecast broadcasting and modern GPS technology. Young people, however, are still being trained in the traditional methods by captains and combine both modern and traditional methods.