![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C7S6DIBORQLN2DNMQN7PXD5WRU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f267dc19fc669a98ef2d08b4b1772a1edfc70ecffa9015f1fbf46883846a7e03&width=400&height=225)
Sadu, a traditional weaving technique, is on the list twice, once for the UAE and once for Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. It was added for the UAE in 2011. Reem Mohammed / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5L56T2UJNLRCUU4WRDSC2D6WF4.jpg?smart=true&auth=dd3188535d32feb397df5ba8dce7b434402b29c19154da66fba5cf271b73145b&width=400&height=225)
Arabic calligraphy is the latest addition from the UAE, among other countries, to Unesco's intangible cultural heritage lists. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EX3E3OOLCNE77CH7XXITTWICFA.jpg?smart=true&auth=6247429098787fe438043c2fa0d632149be39bf173a8f666f188f0487a6beace&width=400&height=225)
Falconry has been practised in the Arab region for 4,000 years, mainly by desert-dwelling Bedouins as an important form of hunting and fishing in a land with scarce natural resources. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MDHLZPF6Y5CNPCUIYAKCL6AEAE.jpg?smart=true&auth=69b02c561bf3a44fffbfa4b4b92d8bb4520ce17fcd1f87d13951c0f8790e551a&width=400&height=225)
Learn more about al aflaj system in Al Ain in 'Emirates from Above', a National Geographic film. The traditional irrigation network system in the UAE has been added to Unesco's list.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CO5EVWYXZ2TYSALNLP2QN5KAXM.jpg?smart=true&auth=04360f0dbe69a460dc3fdbb26f0900747f4eee9b5f62893a156ed9e53190838b&width=400&height=225)
Camel racing, an age-old tradition in the region, is still as popular today. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MZZKVWSBZNG5VNFL4UEHVUNXZY.jpg?smart=true&auth=71a7f1d6c6fa190c06bfaf5e1503d884ba9e6de56c6bc6fcd9f639b10ddd1745&width=400&height=225)
Date palms have been used for centuries for myriad purposes around the Gulf, including the UAE. It was added by Unesco in 2019. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2CCH3ISMKL2IOMQPVHE6MBYWIM.jpg?smart=true&auth=99d4dd53677f5bac626f496e2b604c2f4377b43c621ce2fed0fe2de08d289b64&width=400&height=225)
Al azi poetry has been offered protected status by Unesco to develop a clear national identity in the UAE.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H63VSZW24EO5KJSJSGD4SJ2J7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=23069700d7ed5ae2c4c807e5976e135c2c7b13031666150ca95eb92f38107535&width=400&height=225)
Al rafza is a traditional art form performed by men during special occasions, from weddings to national festivals. Reem Mohammed / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3BTLASKFHBHPDPBBGT2C3ACTQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=ac96b561ca284f914ec7590d026587f004523be0272aab24169fe55422d7d799&width=400&height=225)
The serving of Arabian coffee is a vital part of hospitality in the region and 'considered a ceremonial act of generosity', says the Unesco inscription. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6SLJZAK55HOTZG273NT2U2GBEU.jpg?smart=true&auth=7aea36f2e29a2e99154c6915b7b16f1a609f12082b2e3be27f2c471e9faeaf4c&width=400&height=225)
The majlis, a cultural and social space prevalent throughout the region, was added in 2015 on behalf of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar. Jaime Puebla / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DYLRCG6TT2MJLHZ4KMY3UINCA4.jpg?smart=true&auth=5b7df24670586c07eaeca96e8285a629e9b330861a3baa28a7aa10cf76d44420&width=400&height=225)
Al ayyala is a cultural performance practised in north-western Oman and throughout the UAE. It was added in 2014.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4VQQQ7QQU4QCXS2HB2Z4WYCYWM.jpg?smart=true&auth=dde9f9110a8847c72680038ac84ca29d7b6793c7f55df6bc90d2cd6c45f8b624&width=400&height=225)
Al taghrooda, traditional Bedouin chanted poetry, was added in 2012. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C7S6DIBORQLN2DNMQN7PXD5WRU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f267dc19fc669a98ef2d08b4b1772a1edfc70ecffa9015f1fbf46883846a7e03&width=400&height=225)
Sadu, a traditional weaving technique, is on the list twice, once for the UAE and once for Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. It was added for the UAE in 2011. Reem Mohammed / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5L56T2UJNLRCUU4WRDSC2D6WF4.jpg?smart=true&auth=dd3188535d32feb397df5ba8dce7b434402b29c19154da66fba5cf271b73145b&width=400&height=225)
Arabic calligraphy is the latest addition from the UAE, among other countries, to Unesco's intangible cultural heritage lists. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EX3E3OOLCNE77CH7XXITTWICFA.jpg?smart=true&auth=6247429098787fe438043c2fa0d632149be39bf173a8f666f188f0487a6beace&width=400&height=225)
Falconry has been practised in the Arab region for 4,000 years, mainly by desert-dwelling Bedouins as an important form of hunting and fishing in a land with scarce natural resources. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MDHLZPF6Y5CNPCUIYAKCL6AEAE.jpg?smart=true&auth=69b02c561bf3a44fffbfa4b4b92d8bb4520ce17fcd1f87d13951c0f8790e551a&width=400&height=225)
Learn more about al aflaj system in Al Ain in 'Emirates from Above', a National Geographic film. The traditional irrigation network system in the UAE has been added to Unesco's list.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CO5EVWYXZ2TYSALNLP2QN5KAXM.jpg?smart=true&auth=04360f0dbe69a460dc3fdbb26f0900747f4eee9b5f62893a156ed9e53190838b&width=400&height=225)
Camel racing, an age-old tradition in the region, is still as popular today. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MZZKVWSBZNG5VNFL4UEHVUNXZY.jpg?smart=true&auth=71a7f1d6c6fa190c06bfaf5e1503d884ba9e6de56c6bc6fcd9f639b10ddd1745&width=400&height=225)
Date palms have been used for centuries for myriad purposes around the Gulf, including the UAE. It was added by Unesco in 2019. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2CCH3ISMKL2IOMQPVHE6MBYWIM.jpg?smart=true&auth=99d4dd53677f5bac626f496e2b604c2f4377b43c621ce2fed0fe2de08d289b64&width=400&height=225)
Al azi poetry has been offered protected status by Unesco to develop a clear national identity in the UAE.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H63VSZW24EO5KJSJSGD4SJ2J7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=23069700d7ed5ae2c4c807e5976e135c2c7b13031666150ca95eb92f38107535&width=400&height=225)
Al rafza is a traditional art form performed by men during special occasions, from weddings to national festivals. Reem Mohammed / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3BTLASKFHBHPDPBBGT2C3ACTQI.jpg?smart=true&auth=ac96b561ca284f914ec7590d026587f004523be0272aab24169fe55422d7d799&width=400&height=225)
The serving of Arabian coffee is a vital part of hospitality in the region and 'considered a ceremonial act of generosity', says the Unesco inscription. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6SLJZAK55HOTZG273NT2U2GBEU.jpg?smart=true&auth=7aea36f2e29a2e99154c6915b7b16f1a609f12082b2e3be27f2c471e9faeaf4c&width=400&height=225)
The majlis, a cultural and social space prevalent throughout the region, was added in 2015 on behalf of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar. Jaime Puebla / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DYLRCG6TT2MJLHZ4KMY3UINCA4.jpg?smart=true&auth=5b7df24670586c07eaeca96e8285a629e9b330861a3baa28a7aa10cf76d44420&width=400&height=225)
Al ayyala is a cultural performance practised in north-western Oman and throughout the UAE. It was added in 2014.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4VQQQ7QQU4QCXS2HB2Z4WYCYWM.jpg?smart=true&auth=dde9f9110a8847c72680038ac84ca29d7b6793c7f55df6bc90d2cd6c45f8b624&width=400&height=225)
Al taghrooda, traditional Bedouin chanted poetry, was added in 2012. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C7S6DIBORQLN2DNMQN7PXD5WRU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f267dc19fc669a98ef2d08b4b1772a1edfc70ecffa9015f1fbf46883846a7e03&width=400&height=225)
Sadu, a traditional weaving technique, is on the list twice, once for the UAE and once for Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. It was added for the UAE in 2011. Reem Mohammed / The National
From falconry to sadu, the UAE has 12 traditions on Unesco's intangible heritage lists
Dance, traditional poetry and date palms also make an appearance
![Katy Gillett](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F0d30538e-8093-483b-9671-b522ebeb7695.png?smart=true&auth=8c7547f4ac03274ba8bbce82d6291f909b38c6ccab7737911edec4058f46eea6&width=70&height=70)
Katy Gillett
18 April, 2022
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