Yodelling, the traditional singing of herders in the Swiss Alps, was recognised by the United Nations on Thursday as part of the world's cultural heritage.

"As the emblematic song of Switzerland, yodelling encompasses a wide variety of artistic expressions and is deeply rooted in the population," the Swiss culture ministry said.

Yodelling is a form of singing that alternates between deep, resonant chest tones and bright, soaring head notes in rapid succession. Historians trace it to the Central Alps, where herders once used the echoing calls to summon their flocks or send messages across rugged mountain valleys.

Yodelling is also sung in Austria and Germany, but Switzerland pursued this nomination independently.

"I am so proud to sing yodel...you picture the mountains, you picture the songs, and it makes the soul fly. It’s wonderful," said Yodel singer Anastasia Soeur from the "Coeur des Yodleuses," an all-female yodelling group in Geneva.

The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage protects community practices and living traditions such as oral expressions, performing arts and rituals. (AFP, Reuters)