A Call to Preserve the Hunt: Beyond French Borders, Towards a Universal Heritage
Humbert Rambaud and Vincent Piednoir, respectively editor-in-chief and deputy editor-in-chief of "Jours de Chasse," recently addressed a significant development in the world of hunting. On April 28th, the National Federation of Hunters (FNC) released a seven-page document titled "Manifesto for Hunting," outlining eleven "demands" aimed at preserving this ancestral activity within France. The manifesto, characterized by strong language, positions hunters as defenders of tradition against external pressures.
"We, hunters," the document proclaims, "denounce the multiple unjustified attacks coming from Brussels, from technocrats addicted to norms and disconnected from reality, from anti-everything activists and dogmatic environmentalists… Hunters have had enough. We reaffirm our determination to defend hunting, which is a way of life, and which represents the future in our dehumanized societies disconnected from nature."
The FNC’s strategy involves urging every hunter to print the manifesto and present it to their local mayor on May 17th at 11 a.m. This symbolic act is to be captured in a photograph, the manifesto held aloft, and shared across social media platforms. Willy Schraen, president of the FNC, sees this initiative as a plea to end the "harassment" against hunting and a particular vision of a "happy rural life."
Rambaud and Piednoir choose not to delve into the validity of all the manifesto’s claims. Instead, they focus on the first demand: the "inscription of all hunting methods on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list," specifically emphasizing the "diversity of French hunting methods."
The authors express satisfaction that the FNC appears to recognize the core issue as cultural and even civilizational. For 25 years, "Jours de Chasse" has strived to demonstrate that defending hunting’s legitimacy requires championing it as a passion, a way of life, and not solely based on its positive effects like species regulation or natural space maintenance. The realization that a cultural argument is paramount is seen as a welcome shift.
The authors criticize the historical reliance on arguments centered around the utility of hunting. While such justifications held merit in the past, they argue that the increasing anti-hunting sentiment requires a more profound defense. They acknowledge hunting’s beneficial contributions to society, particularly given that over 80% of the French population resides in urban areas, and its recognition as being of general interest in the environmental code. However, they insist that protecting this age-old legacy for future generations demands a more expansive approach.
They point to the successful inclusion of falconry, or hunting with birds of prey, on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2010 as a precedent. Despite only being legalized in France in 1954, falconry’s inscription showcased the potential for international recognition. The process took three years, uniting ten countries – France, Belgium, Spain, Morocco, Czech Republic, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, among others – in a single nomination. This triumph, they argue, should inspire hunters to significantly elevate their ambitions.
Hunting, in various forms, exists across continents. From Europe to Africa, Asia to the Americas, the instinct for hunting is deeply rooted in the human experience. Anthropologist Charles Stépanoff has demonstrated that even when hunting is a vital necessity, it inherently involves pleasure.
The authors highlight the incredible diversity of hunting practices. Different geographic regions, ecosystems, customs, languages, historical developments, religions, and beliefs have resulted in a multitude of ways to understand and practice hunting. These diverse methods, like any other cultural expression, have evolved into sets of knowledge passed down through generations, making them intrinsically patrimonial.
The article argues that hunting’s profound influence on the relationship with animals and nature, the arts, literature, language, and even gastronomy underscores its fundamental importance. The very essence of hunting is intertwined with the origins and evolution of humanity.
The authors are struck by the paradox that hunting represents both a globally shared passion and a collection of unique cultural expressions. They believe this paradox necessitates its recognition and protection.
They consider the FNC’s proposal to inscribe the "diversity of French hunting methods" on the UNESCO list insufficient. They propose a bolder vision: to dedicate efforts towards inscribing the very principle of hunting, wherever it is practiced, on the UNESCO list. This is not to shield hunting from criticism or legitimate adaptations. Rather, it is to protect it from ideological attacks and the false narrative that equates hunting with poaching.
The authors anticipate criticism, but address their appeal to those who are open-minded and reasonable. Others might view the project as unrealistic, but they ask to consider the possibilities if the diverse and seemingly disparate hunting communities across the globe united in their call to UNESCO, making their case that these practices are facing obliteration at the hands of an increasingly fast-paced world.
They conclude by addressing the ministers of culture around the world, urging them to recognize hunting as a pluralistic art of living and to include it within their area of responsibility. The question is posed to them as to why they neglect this obvious aspect of cultural heritage.
