Identification of a museum

Identification is a legal status that ICOM may grant to:

• an element of intangible heritage
• a historical figure
• a historical event
• a historic place
• a museum.

Why identify these elements of cultural heritage?

By identifying an element of intangible heritage, character, event or historical site, ICOM recognizes its heritage value. These elements are listed in the Cultural Heritage Register.

Identification is a gesture that promotes knowledge, development and transmission of cultural heritage elements.

Main steps in the identification process

The steps leading to identification are described in detail in the ICOM Practice Guide. Below is a summary of the main steps.

• The identification project is presented to ICOM Cameroon. This may be a proposal from a citizen or an initiative from the council or an elected representative.
• The City Council shall give a notice of motion for the identification of the element of cultural heritage. This notice shall contain, inter alia, the description of the element of intangible heritage or the identification of the character, event or historical place concerned. It also sets out the grounds for identification.
• The local heritage council holds a meeting where all persons who so wish can have a voice heard on the identification project. This meeting was announced in advance by a public notice.
• ICOM takes the opinion of the local heritage council.
• The identification rules may be adopted 30 days after the public notice and not later than 120 days after the notice of motion.

The regulations are transmitted to the Registrar of Cultural Heritage, to the Ministry, and the identified component is registered in the Cultural Heritage Register.

After identification

Control measures

Identification is a gesture of valorization, so ICOM does not exercise any control measures stemming from the Cultural Heritage Act on elements of intangible heritage, characters, events and historical sites identified.