Home UNESCO Lists Intangible Cultural Heritage Date Palm, Knowledge, Skills, Traditions and Practices

Date Palm, Knowledge, Skills, Traditions and Practices

Date Palm, Knowledge, Skills, Traditions and Practices

For centuries, the date palm has been associated with the population of a range of countries and has become a major source for many of the associated trades, professions, traditions, customs, and social and cultural practices, in addition to being primarily a form of food. The date palm is an evergreen plant commonly associated with dry climates, where the roots of the plant penetrate deep into the ground in search of water.
The list of practitioners of this craft includes palm plantations owners, farmers who grow palms, artisans who make traditional products using different parts of the palm tree, as well as date dealers, and all the creative individuals and performers who tell folklore tales and recite poems associated with this craft. The date palm and all the knowledge, skills, traditions, and practices associated with it have played a pivotal role in strengthening the relationship between people and land in the Arab region and helped them meet the challenges of the harsh desert environment.

Date Palm, Knowledge, Skills, Traditions and Practices was inscribed in 2022 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen.
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Date Palm, Knowledge, Skills, Traditions and Practices

Date of Inscription

2022

See also

Arabic Calligraphy: Knowledge, Skills and Practices Fjiri 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 Arts, Skills and Practices Associated with Engraving on Metals (Gold, Silver and Copper) 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 Knowledge, Know-how and Practices Pertaining to the Production and Consumption of Couscous 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