The 2020 list is in. Which list you ask?
UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
For the MENA region the following are now inscribed:
- Al Aflaj, traditional irrigation network system in the UAE, oral traditions, knowledge and skills of construction, maintenance and equitable water distribution (UAE)
- Camel racing, a social practice and a festive heritage associated with camels (UAE, Oman)
The significant role of women in the camel breeding process as well as in the preparation process for races is acknowledged
© Department of Culture and Tourism, United Arab Emirates, 2019
- Charfia fishing in the Kerkennah Islands (Tunisia)
- Knowledge, know-how and practices pertaining to the production and consumption of couscous (Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia)
- Traditional weaving of Al Sadu (KSA, Kuwait)
Sadly, now on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding
- Handmade weaving in Upper Egypt (Sa'eed) (Egypt)
TO NOTE: For those of you involved in researching heritage practices, these entries and those of earlier registrations provide terrific references and authoritative research material that can be very useful
#CultureCounsel #UNESCO #unescoworldheritage #intangibleheritage
The starting point of a camel race (these look like the babies - at least they are all going in the same direction, which doesn’t always happen)
© Department of Culture and Tourism, United Arab Emirates, 2019