The UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage was established to recognise aspects of culture and heritage that form part of a country’s identity.
On the list you’ll find everything form salsa dancing and the date palm to falconry, Tibetan opera and Neapolitan pizza.
Nations around the world, proud of their heritage, want to share their culture with the world and have it recognised as an integral part of their identity.
In the UAE, there are many aspects of the culture and heritage on the list including falconry, date palm knowledge and practices, al azi poetry, al sadu weaving, al-ayyala performances, al-taghrooda poetry, Arabic coffee and majlis.
In neighbouring Oman, many of the same cultural aspects are on the list including al-ayyala performances, falconry, al azi poetry, al-razfa performances, Arabic coffee and majlis.
Now, each nation has another aspect of their culture represented on the list with the addition of camel racing for the UAE and Oman, and the addition of the aflaj waer irrigation system for farming, for the UAE.
The inclusion of the submissions are thanks to a joint effort between the Ministry of Culture and Youth and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT).
“The inclusion of Aflaj and Camel Races on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is a great achievement that reinforces our country’s position as an incubator of rich heritage and national pride,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
“DCT Abu Dhabi is honoured to support the great efforts behind these campaigns, as part of our extensive work to preserve the cultural traditions and practices of the Emirate and the UAE as a whole.”
For more information visit ich.unesco.org.
Looking for more cultural experiences in the UAE and Oman?
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It’s one of the oldest marketplaces in Oman, one of the most enjoyable and Instagrammable in the country and if you’re in Muscat you can’t miss it. Of course, we’re talking about Muttrah Souq.
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