The Cultural Value of Traditional Textiles: Cases from the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding

The importance and value of intangible cultural heritage are gaining global recognition, and traditional textiles are being reevaluated as inspiration for sustainable development and creative innovation. This study aims to examine the intangible value and cultural significance of traditional textile heritage by analyzing selected case studies. This study uses a literature-based research method to explore the cultural backgrounds, production techniques, and characteristics of traditional textiles, along with their social and cultural meanings based on their functions. The scope of this study is limited to items listed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding as of June 2025. The selected cases include Ala-kiyiz and Shyrdak ( Kyrgyzstan), Al Sadu ( Kuwait), traditional Li textile techniques ( China), handmade weaving in Sa’eed ( Upper Egypt), and Tais ( Timor-Leste). The findings reveal that traditional textiles serve as a type of social text to encode the symbols and values of their respective communities. Notably, weaving provides a creative record for reinterpreting inherited techniques passed down through generations. Furthermore, in traditional societies marked by gender inequality, textile production plays a crucial role in fostering women’s economic empowerment. These traditional textiles, symbolizing the nature and identity of their regions, hold significant educational and cultural value, thus promoting respect for and understanding of cultural diversity. This study contributes to academic discourse by providing a theoretical foundation for future research on the socio-cultural dimensions of textile heritage.