少數民族非物質文化遺產在我國歷史上占據著舉足輕重的地位。作為中華民族集體的智慧,其通過一種特有的思維形式以及行為習慣存在著。少數民族非物質文化遺產的存在,體現了中華民族的包容性和多樣性,對文化主體以及主權的維護具有重要意義。因此,需要重視對少數民族非物質文化遺產進行保護。與西方相比,我國對非物質文化遺產的正式保護起步較晚,從上世紀初到現在,經過百年發展歷程,很多非物質文化遺產得到拯救,但由于我國地域的廣闊性、民族的多樣性以及法律法規不健全等多種原因,非物質文化遺產保護在整體上仍和西方國家存在較大差距,因此借鑒西方國家對非物質文化遺產保護的經驗就勢在必行。

The intangible cultural heritage of ethnic minorities in China occupies an important position in its long history,and exists as a collective wisdom of the Chinese nation through a unique form of thinking and behavior,which reflects the inclusiveness and diversity of Chinese nation. It is of great significance in the maintaining the cultural subject and sovereignty. Therefore,great importance must be attached to the protection of the intangible cultural heritage of ethnic minorities. Compared to the Western countries,the official protection of intangible cultural heritage in China started very late, from the beginning of last century till present, nearly 100 years have passed and many of the intangible cultural heritages have been saved. But because of China’s vast geographical and ethnic diversity as well as inadequate laws and regulations and so on,the gap with the West in the protection of intangible cultural heritages is obvious. Hence it is very necessary to learn from the Western experience in the protection of the intangible cultural heritage.