A Critical Analysis of Kurdish Dance Cultural, Social, and Identity Threats to the Safeguarding and Continuity of an Intangible Cultural Heritage

Kurdish dance, as one of the most prominent expressions of intangible cultural heritage, is far more than a performing art. It constitutes a cultural system through which ethnic identity is represented, social values are transmitted, social cohesion is reinforced (Golbakhi, ۲۰۲۵), and the historical memory of Kurdish communities is preserved (UNESCO, ۲۰۰۳). Despite its significant cultural value, this heritage is increasingly confronted with serious challenges arising from globalization, the expansion of digital media, changing lifestyles, the commercialization of culture, declining participation among younger generations, and insufficient safeguarding policies (Hall, ۱۹۹۰; Robertson, ۱۹۹۲). This study aims to develop a comprehensive analytical framework for examining the vulnerabilities of Kurdish dance and identifying the factors that threaten its continuity. To achieve this objective, it adopts an integrated theoretical framework drawing upon UNESCO's theory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Pierre Bourdieu's theory of Cultural Capital and Habitus, Anthony Giddens' Structuration Theory, Victor Turner's theory of Ritual and Performance, theories of Cultural Globalization, and Stuart Hall's theory of Cultural Identity. The study is applied in purpose and qualitative in approach. It employs the systematic Grounded Theory methodology proposed by Strauss and Corbin (۱۹۹۸). Participants include university professors, scholars of Kurdish cultural studies, cultural administrators, veteran Kurdish dance masters and instructors, and practicing artists in this field. They were selected through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. To enhance the trustworthiness of the findings, participant validation, data triangulation, and peer debriefing were employed (Guba & Lincoln, ۱۹۸۵). The findings are expected to demonstrate that disruptions in intergenerational transmission, the erosion of cultural capital, transformations in cultural habitus, the decline of ritual functions, the influence of global cultural patterns, the commercialization of performances, and inadequate safeguarding policies constitute the principal threats to the continuity of Kurdish dance. The study is also expected to provide a foundation for the development of cultural policies, educational initiatives, and safeguarding strategies aimed at preserving this intangible cultural heritage while strengthening cultural identity within the framework of sustainable cultural development.

کلیدواژه ها:

Kurdish Dance ، Intangible Cultural Heritage ، Cultural Capital ، Habitus ، Structuration Theory ، Ritual and Performance ، Cultural Identity ، Cultural Globalization