Playing with our Nicknames as Intangible Heritage
Since childhood, we have listened to our parents and grandparents refer to others by unique nicknames, a tradition that holds deep meaning for us. This practice, rich in cultural significance, is an integral part of our intangible heritage. However, these nicknames are not formally documented, and many people are unaware of their existence or their historical context. Motivated by our deep love for our town, Monforte del Cid, we set out to preserve this unique aspect of our heritage and share it with a broader audience.
Our goal was to create a fun and interactive way to honor and preserve these nicknames by developing a book of activities inspired by this cultural legacy. The book includes:
● Matched Monforte: A matching game inspired by the popular board game “Dobble,” where players pair nicknames or images.
● Word Search: A puzzle where players find Monforte's most famous nicknames hidden in a grid of letters.
● Crosswords: Players guess the nickname based on a description to complete the crossword puzzle.
We engaged the local community in various ways to bring our project to life:
● We visited Jorge Juan Primary School, where children played the games and learned about the nicknames of our beloved town.
● We collaborated with the local town hall, which supported our initiative by depositing several copies of our project in the municipal library. This allowed many families to engage with the
games, have fun, and learn more about the intangible heritage of Monforte del Cid.
In our view, nicknames can be considered a significant part of a community’s intangible heritage. When culturally transmitted, nicknames reflect the customs, modes of communication, and unique social dynamics of a place or group. In many communities, nicknames are more than mere identifiers; they hold cultural and historical value, preserving collective memory and reinforcing social bonds within the community.
By documenting and sharing the nicknames of our town, we aim to celebrate this often-overlooked aspect of heritage, ensuring its survival for future generations. In doing so, we strengthen our cultural identity, foster a deeper understanding of our shared history, and contribute to the ongoing preservation of our intangible heritage