The breeding of Jersey cows, crafting of cabbage sticks, ringing of bells in the west and performance of Jèrriais – four of the 12 things nominated by Islanders as key to making Jersey what it is today.
Should they be on a list of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) to be safeguarded for the future, and should anything else be included?
These are the questions being asked by a new free exhibition called ‘What makes Jersey Jersey?’, which is open this month in the Link Gallery at Jersey Museum. It showcases the 12 examples of ICH and asks the public to vote for their favourite.
The 12 nominations are:
1. The Breeding of the Jersey cow
2. The Performing of Jèrriais
3. Crafting the Cabbage Stick
4. Maritime Navigation Using Transit Marks
5. Vraicking
6. Governing, Legislating and Policing
7. Apple and Pear Production
8. The Surfing Scene
9. The Commemoration of Occupation and Liberation (1940-1945)
10. Selling ‘Hedge Veg’
11. Low Water Fishing
12. Bellringing in the Western Parishes
The ‘What makes Jersey Jersey?’ exhibition is part of the ICH project launched by Jersey Heritage last year. The project aims to document, celebrate and ultimately to protect the traditions, knowledge, music, stories and customs that capture the heart and soul of the Island’s rich cultural tapestry.
Islanders were asked to nominate the things they felt were uniquely Jersey and should be passed down to the next generation.
The nominations will eventually form an inventory of ICH that could be considered for UNESCO World Intangible Heritage Status. Designation would require safeguarding measures to be put in place to keep the heritage alive for the future.
Vic Tanner-Davy, Head of Programmes at Jersey Heritage, said: ‘The 12 expressions of interest in what intangible heritage Islanders would like to survive for the next generation are things that have a history but do not look to the past; they are real and vibrant for groups in Jersey today.
‘We are asking people to vote for their favourite to give us a steer on whether these choices are the right ones. We hope the exhibition will prompt plenty of discussion about what should be on the list and why it is important. There is still plenty of time to let us know if there is anything is missing from the list.’
‘What makes Jersey Jersey?’ is open daily from 10am-4pm in the Link Gallery at Jersey Museum until Thursday, 27 November 2025. Entry is free.
Anyone wanting more information about the 12 nominations, to vote for their favourite or to put forward a different expression of interest for the ICH list should go to www.jerseyheritage.org and search ‘ICH’.
