Mapping the Invisible: A Two-Decade Bibliometric Analysis of Intangible Cultural Heritage Research

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) literature published between 2005 and 2024, using data retrieved from the Scopus database. A total of 4,649 documents were analyzed to uncover publication trends, key contributors, influential sources, thematic evolution, and international research collaboration. The analysis reveals a consistent annual growth rate of 10.15 %, with a notable surge in scholarly interest in recent years. Core publication sources include journals focused on folklore, ethnobotany, and heritage studies. Author productivity follows Lotka’s Law, with a small group of prolific contributors shaping the discourse. The keyword co-occurrence network highlights conceptual anchors such as “indigenous knowledge,” “traditional knowledge,” “folklore,” and “UNESCO,” while also revealing intersections with emerging themes like sustainability, climate change, and traditional medicine. Country-level co-authorship analysis shows strong research output and collaboration from the United States, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and a growing presence from countries in Asia and Africa. This study provides a structured knowledge map of ICH research, identifies foundational works, and offers insights for future scholarly inquiry and policy development in cultural heritage preservation.