This article lists the practices listed in UNESCO intangible cultural heritage in Saudi Arabia.
Understand
The country has eight practices listed on the "representative list of intangible cultural heritage From UNESCO.
No additional practice is included in the "register of best practices for safeguarding culture "Or on the"emergency backup list ».
Lists
Representative list
| Convenient | Year | Domain | Description | Drawing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | * Oral traditions and expressions * Social practices, rituals and festive events * Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe | Majlis, literally "places to sit", are places where community members come together to discuss local events and issues, exchange news, receive guests, meet people and have fun. The Majlis is the place where the community comes together to solve problems, offer condolences and organize wedding receptions. It usually corresponds to a large space covered with carpets on the floor and cushions placed against the wall. It usually has a stove or fire to make coffee and other hot drinks. The Majlis space is open to everyone and can be frequented by family members, tribes, and residents of the same and other remote areas. The elders of the community are considered to be its true bearers, especially those with extensive knowledge about nature, genealogy and tribal history. Judges and religious sheikhs are of particular importance in the Majlis, as they mediate conflicts and clarify political, social and religious rights and responsibilities. Women have their own Majlis, although some prominent women frequent other Majlis, especially those of an intellectual and literary nature. These spaces also play a major role in the transfer of oral heritage, such as tales, popular songs and “nabati” poetry. Because the Majlis’s spaces are open to all age groups, knowledge is mostly imparted informally when children accompany community members on their visits. By observing the elders in the Majlis, young people learn the mores and ethics of their community as well as how to dialogue, listen to and respect the opinions of others. |  | |
| Arabic coffee, a symbol of generosity Note Saudi Arabia shares this practice with United Arab Emirates, Oman and the Qatar. | 2015 | * Oral traditions and expressions * Performing Arts * Social practices, rituals and festive events * Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe * Know-how related to traditional craftsmanship | Serving Arab coffee is an important aspect of hospitality in Arab societies which is seen as a symbol of generosity. Traditionally, coffee is brewed in front of the guests. The preparation ritual begins with the selection of the beans, which are placed in a flat iron pan and lightly roasted over a wood fire. The roasted beans are then placed in a copper mortar and crushed with a copper pestle. The ground coffee is placed in a large copper coffee pot, into which water is poured and put on the fire. Once the coffee is ready, it is poured into a smaller coffeemaker and then served to guests in small cups. The most important or oldest guest is served first. The guest's cup is only a quarter full, so it can be refilled multiple times. It is customary for each guest to drink at least one cup, but never more than three. It is prepared and enjoyed by men and women from all walks of life, especially in the household. The sheikhs and tribal chiefs who serve Arab coffee in their hangouts, as well as the elders of the Bedouin community, and owners of coffee businesses, are considered the primary holders. The transmission of knowledge and traditions related to Arab coffee takes place in the family through observation and practice. Young people also accompany elders to the market to learn how to select the best grains. |  |
| Alardah Alnajdiyah, dance, drums and poetry from Saudi Arabia | 2015 | * Oral traditions and expressions * Performing Arts * Social practices, rituals and festive events * Know-how related to traditional craftsmanship | The Alardah is a traditional show that combines dance, percussion and sung poetry. It marks the beginning and end of special occasions such as religious holidays, weddings, births, graduation ceremonies, or events of local or national significance. It is considered a fundamental component of the cultural expressions of the communities that practice it. The performers of Alardah include percussionists, dancers and poets. The men who perform the Alardah carry light swords and stand shoulder to shoulder in two rows facing each other, leaving enough space between them for the drummers. A performer dressed in full costume carries a flag. A poet recites verses aloud in connection with the event being celebrated, which the participants repeat by singing them like an antiphon. The large dance drum players then strike successive blows, followed by smaller drums. While singing, the performers sway side by side back and forth and raise and lower their swords up and down in rhythm with the drumbeats and verses. At the end of the poem, the men gather around the flag. Men of all ages, social backgrounds and professions can participate. Women also participate in the making of the costumes. While strengthening the sense of mutual respect, performance consolidates social cohesion. Troops and citizens, schools, communities from the provinces and the surrounding areas are called upon to teach, interpret, popularize and transmit Alardah. | |
| The Almezmar, dance of the stick to the sound of the drums | 2016 | * Social practices, rituals and festive events * Performing Arts * Know-how related to traditional craftsmanship * Oral traditions and expressions | The Almezmar is a traditional group performance performed by members of the Saudi Arabian Hijazi community on festive occasions, such as family and national celebrations, religious holidays or public events. At the start of the performance, 15 to 100 dancers dressed in long white dresses stand in two rows facing each other. As the drums are pounded, the leader of each row begins to clap their hands, performing songs that speak of gallantry, generosity or love. The first row repeats the song to the beat of the hands, followed by the second row in echo. Dancing duets take place in the center of the circle, spinning their sticks with quick and graceful gestures, sometimes around a fire or objects. Women help make costumes and can sometimes dance and sing at private parties; local artisans produce the drums and sticks. This tradition is passed on to the younger generations through observation and practice, mainly by troupes of artists and heritage centers. The Almezmar is a cultural expression that marks an identity, brings together people of diverse origins, provides a source of entertainment and contains shared knowledge that is an integral part of the collective memory of communities. | |
| Falconry, a living human heritage | 2016 | social practices, rituals and festive events | Falconry is the traditional activity of conserving and training falcons and other raptors to catch game in their natural environment. Originally used as a means of obtaining food, falconry is identified today with the spirit of camaraderie and sharing more than with subsistence. It is mainly found along migration routes and corridors and is practiced by amateurs and professionals of all ages, men and women. Falconers develop a strong relationship and spiritual bond with their birds; strong involvement is needed to breed, train, train and fly falcons. Falconry is passed down as a cultural tradition through means as varied as mentoring, learning within the family, or more formal training in clubs. In hot countries, falconers take their children to the desert and teach them how to control the bird and build a trusting relationship with it. While falconers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, they share common values, traditions and practices including bird training methods and how to care for them, the equipment used and the emotional bond between the falconer and the bird. Falconry is the bedrock of a larger cultural heritage, which includes traditional costumes, food, songs, music, poetry and dances, all customs nurtured by the communities and clubs that practice it. |  |
| Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, traditional wall decoration by the women of Asir | 2017 | * Know-how related to traditional craftsmanship * Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe | Al-Qatt Al-Asiri, a traditional wall decoration executed by women, is an ancestral art form recognized as a key part of the identity of the Asir region. It is a spontaneous art form, practiced largely by women in the community, to decorate the walls of houses, especially in reception halls in honor of guests. The hostess invites the women around her, of all generations, to help decorate the walls. This is how knowledge is passed from generation to generation. The patterns consisting of geometric shapes and symbols are drawn on a white gypsum background. Once the preserve of women, this art is now also practiced by male and female artists, designers, interior decorators and architects, especially on other surfaces. This art strengthens social bonds and solidarity between members of the community. It also has a therapeutic effect on its practitioners. The use of this art in most homes ensures its viability in the community. Some people have created individual local art galleries in their homes to safeguard the element. Observation and practice are the primary modes of passing the element on from generation to generation. Companies, NGOs and individuals all play a key role in safeguarding, promoting and transmitting related knowledge and skills. | |
| Knowledge, know-how, traditions and practices associated with the date palm | 2019 | * Performing Arts * knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe * social practices, rituals and festive events * know-how related to traditional craftsmanship * oral traditions and expressions | The date palm has been associated with the population of the submitting States for centuries, as an essential material for several forms of craftsmanship, several trades and several traditions, customs and socio-cultural practices, but also as an important source of food. The date palm is an evergreen plant typical of dry regions because its roots can penetrate deeply into the soil to absorb moisture. Element bearers and practitioners include owners of date palm plantations; farmers who plant, maintain and irrigate trees; artisans who make traditional products using different parts of the palm tree; date vendors; and creators and artists who recite folk tales and poems. The knowledge, skills, traditions and practices associated with the date palm have played an essential role in strengthening the links between the inhabitants of the Arab countries concerned and their lands, as this tree has helped them overcome the difficulties specific to a desert environment. . The region's historical relationship with the element has given rise to a rich cultural heritage bringing together the practices, knowledge and skills still employed today. The development of the element over the centuries and its cultural relevance explain the extent to which local communities are committed to its preservation. To do this, they participate in multiple actions involving the date palm, organize many festive rituals and perpetuate the traditions and customs linked to the element. |  |
| Traditional Al Sadu weaving Note Saudi Arabia shares this practice with the Kuwait. | 2020 | * Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe * Know-how related to traditional craftsmanship | The traditional Al Sadu weaving is a traditional woven fabric made by the Bedouin women: in Arabic, the word "Al Sadu" refers to the weaving carried out in the horizontal direction. It is a plain weave with a warp effect made on a loom placed on the floor. The resulting fabric is a tight, strong and durable fabric, and the weavers use the natural fibers they find in their environment. The patterns of the Bedouin fabric reflect the desert environment in a simple and pure form, associating geometric shapes that follow one another in a rhythmic and symmetrical cadence. The weavers also use bright colors, such as shades of red and orange, to brighten up their living environment. The beauty of each woven object is based on the quality of the spinning and weaving, as well as on the expertise of the weaver: the finer the thread, the more pronounced and delicate the structure and pattern. The main owners of Al Sadu weaving are the master weavers, older Bedouin women. They play an essential role in the transmission of know-how to other practitioners of the element, most often within the household. In addition, associations and educational organizations contribute to the transmission of this know-how and this knowledge through courses or workshops. Today, weaving is a hobby or a source of income for bearers and practitioners. The woven objects testify to the important role of women in Bedouin society. Nowadays, Al Sadu weaving refers less to the functional object than to the vehicle of a deeply rooted tradition and culture. | |
Register of Best Safeguarding Practices
Saudi Arabia does not have a practice listed in the Best Safeguarding Practices Register.
Emergency backup list
Saudi Arabia does not have a practice on the Emergency Safeguarding List.
