Description:
This activity can be used to let a group get to know each other a little bit better, and at the same time discover an important part of intangible cultural heritage: what our name can tell about us and our heritage.
The activity is simple: the participants create their own name tags by writing their name and drawing a symbol that tells something about their interests, core values, family, region or something else. They then introduce themselves to each other.
What do participants do in the activity?
The participants create name tags by writing their name and drawing a symbol that represents them. When everyone is finished, the participants take turns and
- Say their name
- Tell shortly why they got their name
- Tell about the symbol they have chosen and what it represents
Encourage the participants to use the name tag through out the session to make it easier to use everyone’s name correctly.
What do participants learn?
The participants get to know each other, and reflect on the meaning of names and symbols – what can they tell about us and our background and heritage? They also get to reflect on what part of their own background and person that they want to represent them, which can be used as a starting point for a discussion regarding what it is that we want to safeguard as heritage. We have found that the story behind your name can be really personal and make participants open up to each other right from the start. It can also make it easier for people to remember each other’s names when you know the story behind it.