Swiss yodeling art has been inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, thus joining the Italian cuisine, Icelandic bathing culture, and the Indian festival of Diwali. The UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee announced the addition of yodeling art during its 20th session in New Delhi yesterday. When nominating the tradition, Switzerland stated: 'Yodeling art is a powerful expression of identity and a cultural practice that fosters unity'. It is believed that this vocal tradition, which involves alternating between low and high pitches, originated from shepherds who communicated with each other in this way in remote mountain pastures.
