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Intangible Cultural Heritage in Jersey

Intangible cultural heritage is a unique blend of collective experience that makes us Jersey

What is intangible cultural heritage (ICH)?

ICH is not an object you can hold in your hand. It is held in the things we do, the way we do them, the things we say, the local references we make, the knowledge we hold, the memories we share, the traditions we value and the unique blend of collective experience that makes us Jersey.

Jersey is just starting its journey to create a list of intangible cultural heritage that has significance for Islanders today and that, therefore, as an Island, we agree should be safeguarded for transmission to future generations.

What has happened so far?

In 2024, Jersey Heritage asked the public, practitioners and community groups to share their traditions, language, knowledge, habits, beliefs and customs to create a list of our Island’s ICH.

The twelve expressions of interest below have been developed from an initial idea into a record of a group’s uniquely Jersey culture that they would like to see survive for the next generation.

The expressions have a history, but do not look to the past. They are real and vibrant for groups in Jersey today.

1. The Breeding of the Jersey Cow

The Jersey breed of dairy cow originates from our Island. Renowned for her beauty, ease of management, adaptability to different environments and natural ability to produce rich, creamy milk, she is an icon of the Island, bred by Islanders for centuries.

2. The Performing of Jèrriais

Jèrriais is a form of the Norman language spoken in Jersey. Often called ‘Jersey French’, it is not a dialect of French but a close relative of the Norman language (spoken in Normandy), Guernésiais (spoken in Guernsey), or Sercquiais (spoken in Sark). As a minority language in Jersey, the performance of the language is particularly important as a way of passing on Jèrriais and of making Jèrriais visible in the community.

3. Crafting the Cabbage Stick

The Jersey Cabbage (Chou à Vacque or ‘long jack’) can grow to a height of six metres and was widely cultivated in Jersey and Guernsey. It was used to feed Jersey cattle, and its height enabled pigs to graze between the stalks. Specimens with tall, straight stalks can be processed into walking sticks. Successful cultivation of the cabbage requires specialist knowledge and the manufacture of walking sticks – a peculiarly Jersey practice – is a lengthy, skilled process that can take up to 18 months.

4. Maritime Navigation Using Transit Marks

The coast of Jersey is a dangerous place. Jersey’s large tidal range (up to 12 metres) and the hundreds of reefs, rocks and sandbanks that surround the Island make it hazardous to navigate. Sailors use transit marks and lines to make their way safely around the Island. Many of the transit marks are Island landmarks seen from the seas around Jersey.

5. Vraicking

The collection of seaweed (vraic), known as vraicking, has traditionally taken place around Jersey’s coast. Vraic was used fresh, dried, burned for ash, or as fuel. The seaweed, rich in nutrients, was also added to fields as a fertiliser.

6. Governing, Legislating and Policing

Jersey’s feudal system of governing, legislating and policing is one of the oldest in Europe. Whilst modern governance has replaced most of the practical feudal elements, traces of the system remain in the Island’s laws, traditions and property systems. Jersey’s status as a Crown Dependency means it enjoys autonomy, rooted in this feudal past.

7. Apple and pear production

The production of apples and pears has a long history in Jersey, mainly for making cider. Several uses and traditions grew from the apple and pear industry, such as making ‘black butter’ (a slow cooked apple jam), and beating, or ringing, a bâchin (the large pan in which the black butter is cooked) to drive evil spirits from the orchard.

8. The Surfing Scene

The Jersey surfing scene is largely in St Ouen’s Bay, but other bays around the Island have regular surfers. The Jersey surfing community is linked to UK, European and International surfers through hosting and attending competitions. Whilst surfing competitively is part of the scene, it encompasses the community around the sport including designs for surfboard innovation, informal social gatherings, music events and the bars and cafés of St Ouen’s Bay.

9. The Commemoration of Occupation and Liberation (1940-1945)

Liberation Day has been celebrated annually since 1946. The commemorative acts at the heart of the various events represent the continuity of collective memory, and a sense of pride in the ability of Islanders to endure the hardships of nearly five years of military occupation, which ended on 9 May 1945. There is a wide-ranging commemorative programme staged by Government and different community members and organisations. Many families also gather in more private ways to mark this important anniversary.

10. Selling ‘Hedge Veg’

In many country lanes in Jersey you may encounter a large wooden box, some more elaborate than others, sat on top of a low wall or in a nook that offers seasonal produce for sale, or in exchange for a donation, or with the invitation to take away the produce for free. These boxes demonstrate a long tradition of entrepreneurial endeavour, growing on a scale suitable for sale in this way, and trust in the community. Payment is placed in an ‘honesty box’ – so called for good reason.

11. Low Water Fishing

The knowledge of where, in between the rocks of Jersey’s coast, you will find the best fish and/or shellfish has been passed down for generations, together with the best method and bait to use to catch that fish or shellfish. People who have been low water fishing for a long time have their favourite spots or holes, and many plan their time off work around the big low tides in Jersey. There are regulations around low water fishing that include the size of the fish, the size of the catch, the lines/nets used, and maintenance of the marine environment.

12. Bellringing in the Western Parishes

The Christmas tradition of bellringing in the western parishes of St Ouen, St Mary and St Peter takes place on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day every year. The parish churches open their doors to members of the public who wish to have a go at ringing the bells. The event is open to all ages, with some families attending annually as part of their Christmas tradition.

Please vote!

To give Jersey Heritage a guide to what you would like to see given UNSECO status, we are encouraging you to vote for an ICH expression in the exhibition that you would like to see passed on to the next generation.

Your data will be held in accordance with our privacy policy.

ICH Vote

Voting for ICH Oct 2025

Which of the twelve initial expressions says ‘Jersey’ for you?(Required)
Please select ONE.

Can I add to the list?

The list is not complete. Jersey Heritage are continuing to accept suggestions and develop expressions of interest from those suggestions.

If you would like to put forward your own suggestion, please use the suggestion box at the bottom of this page.

What happens to the list?

Ultimately, the strongest ICH expressions will be put forward for UNESCO World Intangible Heritage Status.

Conferring UNESCO status on an ICH expression does not guarantee its protection or survival, but it raises awareness of its importance to a particular group or community, making it less likely that it will be lost.

Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Jersey

Do you have a suggestion for Jersey’s ICH inventory? If so, please give us some information using this form.