The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) intangible cultural heritage elements are the non-physical traditions and practices performed by a people. As part of a country's cultural heritage, they include celebrations, festivals, performances, oral traditions, music, and the making of handicrafts. The "intangible cultural heritage" is defined by the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, drafted in 2003 and took effect in 2006. Inscription of new heritage elements on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists is determined by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, an organisation established by the convention.
The United Arab Emirates signed the convention on 2 May 2005.
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Representative List Name Image Year No. Description Al-Taghrooda, traditional Bedouin chanted poetry in the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman + 2012 00744 Al-Ayyala, a traditional performing art of the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates + 2014 01012 Al-Ayyala is a weapon dance traditionally performed during weddings, celebrations, and other events. Majlis, a cultural and social space + 2015 01076 Majlis –meaning "sitting room"– is a meeting place for society's individuals to debate matters and local issues, and exchanging news whether public affairs news or what concern the attendees. Arabic coffee, a symbol of generosity + 2015 02111 Al-Razfa, a traditional performing art + 2015 01078 Camel racing, a social practice and a festive heritage associated with camels + 2020 01576 Al Aflaj, traditional irrigation network system in the UAE, oral traditions, knowledge and skills of construction, maintenance and equitable water distribution 2020 01577 Falconry, a living human heritage + 2021 01708 The origin of falconry goes back to the use of hunting by birds of prey as a mean of hunting but it has evolved over time to become part of the cultural heritage of the people. Arabic calligraphy: knowledge, skills and practices + 2021 01718 The artistic practice of writing Arabic letters and words to convey grace and beauty. Al Talli, traditional embroidery skills in the United Arab Emirates 2022 01712 Alheda'a, oral traditions of calling camel flocks + 2022 01717 Alheda'a is an oral tradition of calling a flock of camels passed on through generations. Date palm, knowledge, skills, traditions and practices + 2022 01902 The Palm tree is considered to be a part of the history of the countries where it is a source for farmers, craftsmen, handicrafts owners, merchants, factory owners and food companies. Harees dish: know-how, skills and practices + 2023 01744 Harees, is a dish of boiled, cracked, or coarsely-ground cracked wheat or bulgur, mixed with meat and seasoned. Henna, rituals, aesthetic and social practices + 2024 02116A temporary tattooing practice with medicinal and aesthetic motivations. Bisht (men's Abaa): skills and practices + 2025 02233 A bisht is a traditional men's cloak popular in the Arab world for hundreds of years. The zaffa in the traditional wedding + 2025 02283 The zaffa, or wedding march, is a musical procession of bendir drums, bagpipes, horns, belly dancers, and men carrying flaming swords. Al Sadu, traditional weaving skills in the United Arab Emirates 2025 02223 Al Sadu, or simply Sadu, describes an embroidery form in geometrical shapes hand-woven by Bedouin people. Al Ahalla, a living performing art in the United Arab Emirates 2025 02279 Al Ahalla is a traditional art form that blends performing arts with oral tradition. Arabic Kohl + 2025 02261 Kohl is a fine black powder used as eyeliner traditionally made by crushing stibnite.
Elements in Need of Urgent Safeguarding Name Year No. Description Al Azi, art of performing praise, pride and fortitude poetry 2017 01268
Good Safeguarding Practices Name Year No. Description Al Sadu, traditional weaving skills in the United Arab Emirates 2025 02473 Between 2011 and 2023, a safeguarding programme was put in place to address the risk of disappearance of this cultural element.
See also List of World Heritage Sites in the United Arab Emirates
Notes
References
External links UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: Official site UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in the United Arab Emirates: Official site