This article lists the practices listed in UNESCO intangible cultural heritage To Oman.
Understand
The country has ten practices included in 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Bar’ah, music and dance from the Dhofar valleys of Oman | 2010 | * 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 | Al-Bar'ah is a Bedouin musical tradition from the Dhofar mountain ranges in southern Oman. It takes the form of a warlike dance performed to the sound of drums and poetry sung in the dialect of the local tribes. Al-Bar'ah is performed in a semicircle by ten to thirty men and women. While singing and clapping, two male dancers with khanjars (daggers), perform codified dance moves, brandishing their daggers above shoulder level. The dancers' steps are not complex, but coordination with other performers and with the music requires considerable skill. Each tribe has its own characteristic form of al-Bar’ah, which differs from the others in the rhythm of the percussion and the dance steps performed. The musical accompaniment is played by the drums al-kasir, al-rahmâni and ad-daff and the flute al-qassaba. The dance is performed outdoors, on the occasion of weddings, circumcisions and religious festivals. As with other Bedouin dances, class and other distinctions disappear as tribal leaders dance alongside the humblest of the population. The tradition represents the chivalrous spirit, strength, courage, generosity and hospitality associated with Bedouins. The dance also emphasizes the poetic themes of love and seduction. Al-Bar'ah has many Dhofar practitioners who help nurture and transmit its poetic diversity and practice. |  |
| Al ‘azi, elegy, processional march and poetry | 2012 | * Oral traditions and expressions * Performing Arts * Social practices, rituals and festive events | Al ‘azi is a genre of sung poetry, performed in the northern regions of the Sultanate of Oman, which is one of the main expressions of Omani cultural and musical identity. It takes the form of a poetry competition punctuated by sword movements and steps as well as by poetic exchanges between a singing poet and a choir. It can involve a large number of participants from a village or tribe, guided by the poet who recites improvised and memorized poems in Arabic. Performers should pay attention to his movements and narrative and respond with appropriate movements and cues. Poems express pride in belonging and can pay homage to the tribe, to important people or to historical moments. Al ‘azi enriches the intellectual and cultural side of the community through the creative reinvention of existing poems and plays an important role in the preservation of the oral memory of the society. It promotes unity and communication and emphasizes the need to overcome disagreements among members of society. Al ‘azi is performed on all national and social occasions as an emblem of social unity, strength and pride. At present, it is performed by more than a hundred ensembles. | |
| Al-Taghrooda, traditional sung poetry of the Bedouin in the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman Note Oman shares this practice with United Arab Emirates. | 2012 | * Oral traditions and expressions * Performing Arts * Social practices, rituals and festive events | Al-Taghrooda, a traditional Bedouin sung poetry, is composed and recited by men who ride camels through the desert areas of the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman. The Bedouin believe that their song provides a distraction for the riders and stimulates the beasts to move forward at the same pace. Short poems of seven lines or less are improvised and repeated by two groups of horsemen, often in the style of an antiphonal song. Usually the lead singer recites the first line and the second group responds. These poems are also performed around a campfire, at weddings and at tribal and national festivals, especially camel races; some Bedouin women compose and recite when engaged in collective work. The most important aspect is the social bond forged during the oral exchange of stanzas. These words are all messages sent to loved ones, relatives, friends or tribal leaders. It is also a way for the poet to comment on social issues. Its other functions are to settle conflicts between individuals or tribes, to bring the public's attention to historical achievements and topical issues such as good conduct and health issues. These shows also offer the public a way to learn about its history and get a picture of its traditional way of life. The art of composing and reciting poems is passed down through family and community elders. | |
| Al-Ayyala, a traditional performing art in the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates Note Oman shares this practice with United Arab Emirates. | 2014 | * Performing Arts * Social practices, rituals and festive events * Know-how related to traditional craftsmanship * Oral traditions and expressions | Al-Ayyala is an expressive and popular cultural practice that takes place in northwest Oman and throughout the United Arab Emirates. Al-Ayyala mixes sung poetry, drum music and dance, and simulates a battle. Two rows of about twenty men face each other, holding thin bamboo canes that symbolize spears or swords. Between the rows take place the musicians, who play on drums, large and small, tambourines and brass cymbals. Rows of men shake their heads and sticks to the beat of the drum and sing poetic songs, while others move around the rows holding swords or guns, which they throw from time to time in the air before catching them. In the United Arab Emirates, young girls in traditional dresses stand in front, shaking their hair back and forth. The melody consists of seven irregularly repeated tones, and the poetry sung varies according to the circumstances. Al-Ayyala is practiced during weddings and other festivities in the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Its practitioners are of various origins and ages. The leader has generally inherited his role and is responsible for training the other practitioners. Al-Ayyala brings together all ages, genders and social classes. | |
| Al-Razfa, a traditional performing art Note Oman shares this practice with United Arab Emirates. | 2015 | * Performing Arts * Social practices, rituals and festive events * Oral traditions and expressions | Al-Razfa is a popular performing art in the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman. It is practiced by men of all ages and social classes during social events, such as weddings and national holidays. The performers form two rows facing each other, with dancers filling the space in between. Led by the lead singer, the two rows form two choirs that respond to the sound of drums and other instruments. Many of the songs use verses from traditional Nabati poetry, carefully chosen for the occasion. The dancers perform choreography in rhythm with the music while holding wooden replicas of guns. In some performances, young girls join in the dance, waving their hair to the sound of the instruments. Originally practiced as a community celebration of victory, Al-Razfa has since grown into a very popular form of entertainment. Its practitioners have adapted musical instruments and composed melodies that appeal to young people while preserving the ancient expressions and oral traditions of this art. Anyone can participate in this performing art, from heads of state and elders to young children. Today, Al-Razfa is passed down directly to the family through participation and observation at social events. Individual performers learn their roles through practice while girls are trained by their mothers and older sisters. | |
| 2015 | * Social practices, rituals and festive events * Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe * Oral traditions and expressions | 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 neighborhood and other remote neighborhoods. 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 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 Oman shares this practice withSaudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the Qatar. | 2015 | * 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 | 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. Sheikhs and tribal chiefs who serve Arab coffee in their hangouts, as well as elders from the Bedouin community, and owners of coffee shops, 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. |  |
| The Alardhah of the horse and the camel | 2018 | * 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 Alardhah of the horse and the camel is present in many parts of Oman. On the day of Alardhah (which means "festival" in Arabic), people gather at the racetrack to admire shows by riders and camel drivers that reflect the dexterity of Omanis in animal training. Traditional arts, such as the recitation of ancient poems, accompany the performances. The Alardhah begins with a presentation of traditional figures (getting the mounts to lie down, standing on them, holding the hand of another rider on a galloping animal, and the like). Then the horses and camels parade, draped in clothing and adorned with magnificent silver ornaments. Alardhah is associated with many events of social life in Oman such as religious and national holidays. The practice is an integral part of national culture in both rural and urban areas, and reflects the great skill and love of the people for animals. Both men and women participate in Allardhah which is also an opportunity for traditional musical groups and artisans to show their talents. At the community level, Omanis organize Alardhah on different occasions in social life in which young people participate. Civil society organizations also play a role in imparting skills, and at the university, equestrian groups impart skills to students and teach them how to practice Alardhah. | |
| Knowledge, know-how, traditions and practices associated with the date palm Note Oman shares this practice with the Bahrain, the'Iraq, the Jordan, the Kuwait, the Morocco, the Mauritania, the'Egypt, the Palestine, the'Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, the Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and the Yemen. | 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 the 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 to 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. |  |
| Note Oman shares this practice with United Arab Emirates. | 2020 | * 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 | Camel racing, a social practice and festive heritage associated with camels, is a popular social practice in the communities concerned. The preparation of a racing camel involves several stages. The dromedaries, selected according to their type, origin and age, receive a special diet. They train on the racetrack in groups and are trained to compete in races. The camel races take place on land provided for this purpose, under the supervision of specialized committees in the communities. For each race there are usually between fifteen and twenty camels competing, and the distance to be covered is determined according to the age of the animals. Traditions, customs and principles recognized by the communities govern the races and practices of the associated communities. In addition, a preparation committee is responsible for verifying the origin of each camel. The transmission of knowledge and know-how is done through the joint efforts of representatives of communities, government agencies, specialized centers, the racing federation and clubs. Children and young people gradually acquire the knowledge and skills associated with practice through observation, simulation and oral expressions. Camel racing is a fundamental aspect of their nomadic way of life as well as a source of inspiration and creativity in poetry and song. Its importance and continuity in Bedouin society are linked to the preponderant role of camels in desert areas. |  |
Register of Best Safeguarding Practices
Oman does not have a practice listed in the Best Safeguarding Practices Register.
Emergency backup list
Oman does not have a practice on the Emergency Safeguarding List.
