Home UNESCO Lists Intangible Cultural Heritage Intangible Cultural Heritage in Jordan Al-Mansaf in Jordan, a Festive Banquet and its Social and Cultural Meanings

Al-Mansaf in Jordan, a Festive Banquet and its Social and Cultural Meanings

Al-Mansaf in Jordan, a Festive Banquet and its Social and Cultural Meanings

Al-Mansaf is a festive dish at social and cultural events in Jordan, as it is a symbol of identity and social cohesion. Al-Mansaf consists of large pieces of lamb or goat meat with spices in a yogurt sauce and served on a large plate with rice, layers of bread, and garnished with fried dried almonds.
The preparation of this dish is a social event in itself and the chefs sing and tell stories while cooking. The method of preparing this dish and the practices associated with it are an essential part of the social and cultural events in Jordan, and women generally pass down the recipes and related practices to their daughters and granddaughters.
Culinary institutes and universities also contribute to the knowledge transmission of the dish
Al-Mansaf in Jordan, a Festive Banquet and its Social and Cultural Meanings was inscribed in 2022 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Jordan.
by Ji-Elle, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
by Ji-Elle, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
by Ji-Elle, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Al-Mansaf in Jordan, a Festive Banquet and its Social and Cultural Meanings

Date of Inscription

2022