Intangible heritage as defined by UNESCO Includes traditions or living expressions inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants, such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe or the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts. While fragile, intangible cultural heritage is an important factor in maintaining cultural diversity in the face of growing globalization. An understanding of the intangible cultural heritage of different communities helps with intercultural dialogue, and encourages mutual respect for other ways of life. The importance of intangible cultural heritage is not the cultural manifestation itself but rather the wealth of knowledge and skills that is transmitted through it from one generation to the next. The social and economic value of this transmission of knowledge is relevant for minority groups and for mainstream social groups within a State, and is as important for developing States as for developed ones.  

Perhaps the most well-known traditional dance in the United Arab Emirates, Al-Ayyala is performed by men and boys who hold thin bamboo canes and move in unison to a steady drummed rhythm. Al-Ayyala is represented at weddings, national holidays and other celebrations. Deeply embedded in UAE culture, Al-Ayyala exemplifies the ethos and gallantry of Bedouin life and reinforces the values of dignity and honour. Because it reflects the heritage and values of Emirati culture, the dance has become a symbol of national identity and union.

Performed at weddings, national holidays and other special events, Al-Razfa is a popular Emirati performance that combines poetry with a dance that uses thin bamboo canes. In the past, swords or daggers were used instead of canes. Once unique to Bedouin communities and groups in the Al Dhafra desert areas west of Abu Dhabi city, Al-Razfa has spread throughout the UAE, to cities, and both coastal and mountainous regions.

The Majlis (council) has traditionally been an essential part of Emirati social and political life, serving as a forum for members of the community to discuss issues among themselves and to raise important matters with elders and Sheikhs. Merchants and legal experts also held Majalis (the plural of Majlis). Traditionally, elders and Sheikhs would host Majlis to discuss daily affairs, relay news and tell stories. All members of the community are entitled to attend these forums to offer their opinions on topics of the day. Majalis run by elders, chieftains and Sheikhs are called barza, and the Majlis host is said to be ‘barez’ (prominent) when he is presiding at his Majlis. During such Majalis, the host hears complaints, demands and other issues of the people and seeks to resolves them. The atmosphere is one of constructive dialogue, defined by honesty, openness, freedom and ingenuity. The Bedouin call these gatherings Bayt Al-She`r (house of hair), a reference to the goat-hair tents in which they are held. Barza Majalis also are called Al Marms, or Al Mayles. Because of the significance of the Majlis, the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia inscribed it in 2015 on the UNESCO ‘Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’.

With its origins as a celebration of victory on the field of battle, Al Azi poetry has been passed down from father to son for hundreds of years. Al Azi consists of rhymed verses in the style of traditional Arabic poetry, with sayings and proverbs sometimes interspersed into the poem. Performed by a group of men, Al Azi is characterised by the powerful voices of both the poet and a chorus that ‘answers’ him. The chorus members hold mock rifles and stand in rows behind the poet, who holds a mock sword. The call-and-response performance conveys a sense of unity and solidarity, while the symbolic weapons symbolise courage. Al Azi was performed regularly by desert communities across the United Arab Emirates until the mid-20th century, when the practice became less widespread as people began moving to cities in large numbers. With support from government authorities and growing Emirati interest in preserving national heritage, Al Azi has since been revived, and today is a treasured aspect of Emirati heritage and culture. It is regularly performed at weddings, national and religious holidays, and other special events and ceremonies. Al Azi was inscribed in 2017 on the UNESCO 'List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding'.[/caption]

Al-Taghrooda has its origins in the desert and mountainous regions, and rural villages of the United Arab Emirates as a form of improvised poetry among Bedouin camel riders and herders. Today, it is found throughout the nation and is a beloved component of UAE culture. This chanted poetry was developed to help pass the long hours during desert treks on camelback. Riders also believed it encouraged the animals to walk in time with each other, and could even be used to increase their pace as the chanters quickened the rhythm of the poem. Riders would improvise the words of each Al-Taghrooda poem during their journeys, creating short poems of seven or fewer lines, each of which is then repeated alternately between two groups of riders. Generally, a lead singer would chant the first line and the rest of the group would respond. Then the second line would be chanted and then repeated, and so on.[/caption]

Serving Arabic coffee to guests is an important element of hospitality in Arab and Emirati society and a symbolic act of generosity. Arabic coffee (pronounced “gahwa” in the Emirati Arabic dialect) has been a central part of Arab culture for centuries and is preparation and serving is marked by elaborate traditions and rituals.[/caption]

For 4,000 years, Bedouin in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and wider Arabian Peninsula practiced falconry as an important form of hunting in a resource-scarce land. Its role in society, however, has changed over time, and today it is one of the UAE’s most honoured traditional sports. Falconry’s revered status derives from the sense of courage, honour and nobility – prized traditional Arab values – that are associated with the sport, as well as its links to nature conservation, respect for animals and the comradery among falconers. “Falconry allows our children to enjoy the spell of the desert, imbuing them with the virtues of patience and fortitude, willpower and companionship, values that are just as important today, as they have been for generations,” says His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Emirates Falconers’ Club.

In the resource-scarce lands of the Arabian Peninsula, from Bedouin ingenuity emerged the craft of Al-Sadu, the traditional technique of weaving the hair of camels and the wool of goats and sheep into fabric for blankets, carpets, pillows, tents and the decoration of camel saddles and belts. Al-Sadu holds a place of particular honour in Emirati society, recognised for its essential role in Bedouin life and as a tangible example of adaptation and creativity. It also represents one of the most valuable economic contributions that women made to their society. Al-Sadu also played a central role in the social lives of traditional Emirati women. Because of Al-Sadu’s significance, it was inscribed in 2011 on the UNESCO.