Saving Cultural History with UNESCO
By Alison Norquist / Arab America Contributing Writer
Last week, a special organization of the United Nations released this cycle’s Intangible Cultural Heritage inscriptions. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is tasked with finding and preserving the unique but at-risk traditions of various cultures and documenting them for future generations. This year, they selected nine Arab traditions to feature.
How Does UNESCO Decide?
As part of the United Nations, UNESCO is focused on documenting and preserving the cultural traditions and heritage of its 193 members. All of the traditions that are documented are first nominated by researchers and undergo years of study. All inscriptions must meet the criteria set forth by UNESCO including :
- The tradition is in urgent need of safeguarding because its viability is at risk despite the efforts of the community, group
- It is an intangible tradition such as oral expressions and languages, social practices, performing arts, traditional craftsmanship, and understandings of the universe.
- Preserving the tradition will help the community from which it comes to continue the practice.
The Inscriptions
Raï
The folk song Raï of Algeria touches on love, freedom, despair, and social pressures without censorship and taboos. Originally practiced in rural settings, the doyens sang poetic texts in vernacular Arabic and were accompanied by a traditional orchestra. Over time, Raï earned acclaim. First at the national level during rituals and weddings, now it is sung at the global level thanks to artists such as Khaled and Mami. This has moved the performances from enclosed spaces to national festivals. Raï is considered a song of youth, with young women and men singing and dancing as they express how they feel about the world around them.
Holy Family Festivals
In order to escape prosecution at the hands of King Herod, the Holy Family of Mary, Joseph and Jesus fled to Egypt. Since then, it has become a religious festival in Egypt to recreate and celebrate this journey. The first festival, “The Advent of the Holy Family to Egypt” is typically held at the beginning of June. The second festival, “The Nativity of the Virgin” is held sometime between May and August. At both, participants play games, feast, and sing. Reenactments of the journey and religious processions are also held. Egyptians are taught these rituals through families as well as the church.
Al-Mansaf
A banquet in Jordan celebrates the community by cooking, telling stories, and dancing. The festivities all surround the cooking of Al-Mansaf, a dish of lamb or goat meat that is cooked in spiced yogurt and then served with rice and a layer of thin bread. The dish is topped with fried desiccated almonds just before serving. This socio-cultural tradition comes to fruition when the women complete the cooking and the dish is served on large platters. Up to seven people eat from the same platter, traditionally with their right hand.
Alheda’a
The rhythmic sounds of Alheda’a may sound like music to one who is unaware of its true purpose: to herd camels through the deserts. Inspired by poetry, camel herders have trained their flocks to respond to commands almost sung to them. This practice not only allows herders to lead their flocks to water, food, and milking stations, but it also allows them to control the herd in emergencies like sandstorms. Alheda’a is a genderless practice, with both young girls and boys being taught the calls of their families through an educational bonding experience of multiple generations. In more modern times, there are even camel-calling competitions in order to keep the skill viable.
Khawlani coffee beans
Coffee is a cherished beverage the world over. Khawlani coffee is especially cherished for being hand grown by a small community in the mountains of Saudi Arabia for over 300 years. Started out as just seedlings, the trees are carefully grown using water conservation techniques upon agricultural terraces. Once the berries mature to a deep red color, whole families begin the harvesting of coffee beans into large leather pouches. Once dried, the women of the community then begin the grueling task of peeling the berries and grinding them without harming the bean within. Coffee has long been a symbol of generosity in Saudi Arabia, with the serving of family-grown coffee being a practice to honor guests.
These wonderful traditions help to create the rich cultures that are found throughout the Arabic world. Without them, many ancient practices and knowledge would be lost for possibly the rest of time. Committees like UNESCO have the difficult job of choosing a select few inscriptions each 6-year cycle, but one can be assured that all of the traditions recorded are the precious differences that bring life to the communities that practice them. Be sure to check out the full list and past inscriptions in UNESCO’s inscription database.
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