Home UNESCO Lists Intangible Cultural Heritage Arabic Calligraphy: Knowledge, Skills and Practices

Arabic Calligraphy: Knowledge, Skills and Practices

Arabic Calligraphy: Knowledge, Skills and Practices

Arabic calligraphy is the art of writing Arabic texts in a harmonious and beautiful way that takes multiple forms and uses a wide range of decorations and embellishments. Arabic calligraphy is common and widespread in Arab and non-Arab countries alike, and it is written by calligraphers, both men and women, of all ages.
In the past, the purpose of Arabic calligraphy was to make writing clearer and easier to read, but it quickly turned with the passage of time into one of the most beautiful forms of Islamic Arabic art that has been used throughout history. Today, in addition to its use in writing scripts, Arabic calligraphy is used in the processes of artistic enhancement, marble and wood carving, embroidery, and metal etching.
Skills are transmitted informally or formally through formal schools and craft schools.
Arabic Calligraphy: Knowledge, Skills and Practices was inscribed in 2021 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen.
by Faisal Al-Abdullah, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
by Faisal Al-Abdullah, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
by English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
by Ahmed Al.Badawy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
by unknown author, Baba66 (assumed), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
by Ravi Kumar, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Arabic Calligraphy: Knowledge, Skills and Practices

Date of Inscription

2021

See also

Ahellil of Gourara Rites and Craftsmanship associated with the Wedding Costume Tradition of Tlemcen Practices and Knowledge linked to the Imzad of the Tuareg Communities of Algeria, Mali and Niger Annual Pilgrimage to the Mausoleum of Sidi ‘Abd el-Qader Ben Mohammed (Sidi Cheikh) Ritual and Ceremonies of Sebeïba in the Oasis of Djanet, Algeria Sbuâ, Annual Pilgrimage to the Zawiya of Sidi El Hadj Belkacem in Gourara Knowledge and Skills of the Water Measurers of the Foggaras or Water Bailiffs of Touat and Tidikelt Knowledge, Know-how and Practices Pertaining to the Production and Consumption of Couscous Raï, Popular Folk Song of Algeria Arts, Skills and Practices Associated with Engraving on Metals (Gold, Silver and Copper) Fjiri Date Palm, Knowledge, Skills, Traditions and Practices Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah Epic Tahteeb, Stick Game Traditional Hand Puppetry Handmade weaving in Upper Egypt (Sa'eed) Festivals Related to the Journey of the Holy Family in Egypt Iraqi Maqam Khidr Elias Feast and its Vows Provision of Services and Hospitality During the Arba’in Visitation Traditional Craft Skills and Arts of Al-Naoor Nawrouz Traditional Craft Skills and Arts of Al-Mudhif Building Cultural Space of the Bedu in Petra and Wadi Rum As-Samer in Jordan Al-Mansaf in Jordan, a Festive Banquet and its Social and Cultural Meanings Traditional Weaving of Al Sadu Al Sadu Educational Programme: Train the Trainers in the Art of Weaving Al-Zajal, Recited or Sung Poetry Al-Man’ouché, an Emblematic Culinary Practice in Lebanon Moorish Epic T’heydinn Mahadra, a Community System for Transmission of Traditional Knowledge and Oral Expressions Moussem of Tan-Tan Cultural Space of Jemaa el-Fna Square Cherry Festival in Sefrou Argan, Practices and Know-how Concerning the Argan Tree Taskiwin, Martial Dance of the Western High Atlas Gnawa Tbourida Mediterranean Diet Falconry, a Living Human Heritage Malhun, a Popular Poetic and Musical Art Majlis, a Cultural and Social Space Arabic Coffee, a Symbol of Generosity Al-Bar’ah, Music and Dance of Oman Dhofari Valleys Al ‘azi, Elegy, Processional March and Poetry Horse and Camel Ardhah Al-Taghrooda, Traditional Bedouin Chanted Poetry in the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman Al-Ayyala, a Traditional Performing Art of the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates Al-Razfa, a Traditional Performing Art Camel Racing, a Social Practice and a Festive Heritage Associated with Camels Al-Khanjar, Craft Skills and Social Practices Alheda’a, Oral Traditions of Calling Camel Flocks Harees dish: Know-How, Skills and Practices Palestinian Hikaye The Art of Embroidery in Palestine, Practices, Skills, Knowledge and Rituals Dabkeh, Traditional Dance in Palestine Alardah Alnajdiyah, Dance, Drumming and Poetry in Saudi Arabia Almezmar, Drumming and Dancing with Sticks Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, Female Traditional Interior Wall Decoration in Asir Knowledge and Practices Related to Cultivating Khawlani Coffee Beans Procession and Celebrations of Prophet Mohammed's Birthday in Sudan Pottery Skills of the Women of Sejnane Charfia Fishing in the Kerkennah Islands Harissa, Knowledge, Skills and Culinary and Social Practices Al Sadu, Traditional Weaving Skills in the United Arab Emirates Al Azi, Art of Performing Praise, Pride and Fortitude Poetry Al Aflaj, Traditional Irrigation Network System in the UAE, Oral Traditions, Knowledge and Skills of Construction, Maintenance and Equitable Water Distribution Al Talli, Traditional Embroidery Skills in the United Arab Emirates Song of Sana’a

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