THE SIGNIFICANCE OF TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP IN PRESERVING INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE: THE CONTRIBUTION OF DILBAR MEROSI AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH CULTURAL TOURISM IN UZBEKISTAN

Abstract

Traditional craftsmanship plays a significant role in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage by preserving cultural knowledge, practical skills, and traditions transmitted from one generation to another. This article examines traditional textile craftsmanship in Uzbekistan through the case of Dilbar Merosi, a family-based textile initiative that previously operated as an income-generating activity while contributing to the continuity of traditional textile practices. Although its operations are currently temporarily suspended, the study explores how the experience and knowledge accumulated through this initiative can inform future development and revitalization opportunities. Drawing on UNESCO’s framework for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and selected academic literature, the article examines cultural preservation, intergenerational knowledge transmission, sustainable innovation, and potential connections with cultural tourism. The study adopts a practice-informed, descriptive case study approach without claiming to provide a quantitative assessment of the initiative’s impact. The findings suggest that safeguarding traditional craftsmanship requires support not only for handmade products but also for the cultural knowledge, practical skills, symbolic meanings, and livelihoods associated with their production.