The Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi is collaborating with the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth, as well as the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation to nominate the traditional practice of henna art for inclusion in Unesco's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The three government institutions hosted representatives from 16 Arab countries this month to discuss the nomination.
“The UAE attaches great importance to highlighting the practices of our Emirati identity and showcasing them to the world,” said Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Youth.
“The inclusion of this element of our heritage on Unesco's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage is an important step in highlighting the role of henna in our Arab and Gulf culture and identity, which is shared by many other cultures of the world.”
The meeting and planned nomination for henna is part of DCT Abu Dhabi’s efforts to promote and preserve the UAE's national heritage and identity. In the UAE and across the region, henna has been used in both the fields of medicine and decoration, Al Nakhi said.
“It is a special symbol for social occasions, a manifestation of celebration and a special tool for expressing joy and special moments.”
The UAE's efforts to include practices, representation, expressions, knowledge and skills that are part of regions’ cultural fabric began in 2010 with international falconry successfully being added to Unesco's list.
Since then the UAE has also included Al-Taghrooda, a form of improvised poetry; Al-Ayyala, the traditional dance of the UAE and north western Oman; Al-Razfa, the traditional performance that includes dance and poetry; the Majlis as a gathering space where community members discuss local events exchange news and receive guests; Gahwa (Arabic coffee); the palm tree; camel racing and Arabic calligraphy.
“We are proud of our heritage and cultural practices,” said Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary at DCT Abu Dhabi. “The cultural and historical ties between Arab countries run deep, and it is by working together with our neighbours that our efforts to preserve and record our customs and traditions are strengthened and amplified.”
UAE's 12 traditions on Unesco's intangible heritage lists — in pictures
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Arabic calligraphy is the latest addition from the UAE, among other countries, to Unesco's intangible cultural heritage lists. AFP -
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 -
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. -
Camel racing, an age-old tradition in the region, is still as popular today. EPA -
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 -
Al azi poetry has been offered protected status by Unesco to develop a clear national identity in the UAE. -
Al rafza is a traditional art form performed by men during special occasions, from weddings to national festivals. Reem Mohammed / The National -
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 -
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 -
Al ayyala is a cultural performance practised in north-western Oman and throughout the UAE. It was added in 2014. -
Al taghrooda, traditional Bedouin chanted poetry, was added in 2012. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National -
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
