Paris - Cuba is expecting UNESCO to include ''rumba'' in its list - Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, during the forthcoming meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on the issue, diplomatic sources said today.

According to the information provided to Prensa Latina by the Havana delegation at UNESCO, the event scheduled from November 28th to December 2nd in Ethiopia will decide on the inclusion of rumba as 'a festive mixture of music and dance, and associated practices'.

UNESCO recognizes the value of rumba as an expressive style of music and dance that rests on forms of verbal communication (vocal singing and sounds) and non-verbal communication (gestures and body language).

Practiced in family circles, with neighbors and in communities in festive and religious events, rumba 'mixes tradition and contemporaneity and promotes feelings of self-esteem and belonging among its practitioners,' the text says.

'It also brings together individuals of all sexes, social class, geographical origin or religious beliefs, reinforcing social cohesion, mutual respect and favoring harmonious relationships between individuals and communities.'

'It highlights the diverse origin of rumba, with African, Spanish and African-Caribbean roots, which helps promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity.'

The 11th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage will begin in Addis Ababa in late November. It will analyze Cuba's candidacy and other proposals from many countries.

Other applications are, for example, 'the culture of beer in Belgium' and '24 solar periods in China - the knowledge of time and practices developed through the observation of the annual movement of the sun.'