Is it protected by UNESCO?

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a unique place or thing that is recognised by UNESCO as being crucial to adding value to human beings and the myriad of cultures that we enjoy around the world. Examples include the Taj Mahal, Stonehenge, Machu Picchu, The Great Wall of China and the Acropolis. As you know these are actual physical sites around the world.

But did you know that the list doesn’t necessarily have to include sites. It can include an activity that’s unique to a particular country’s culture and traditions as well. In past years Arabic and Chinese Calligraphy have been added and Japanese Calligraphy is going to be added this coming December. These are known as living traditions. These traditions include dancing, singing and cooking. Examples that have already been added include Alheda'a Camel Calling which hails from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman, Falconry which is a tradition practised in 24 countries in the Middle East, Asia and parts of Europe, Shrimp Fishing on Horseback which is exclusive to Belgium and something called Jultagi Tightrope Walking which is part of South Korea’s tradition. Cooking and art have also been listed including crafting Gingerbread in Croatia and the Viennese coffee house culture in Austria, and sand drawing in Vanuatu.

I think it’s so great that these skills are being preserved. To be honest it’s far easier to keep traditions and activities alive than actual physical sites. Despite every effort to maintain actual world heritage sites we can’t really depend on them to stay standing forever. They are always subject to circumstances beyond human control such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes and war as a result of which they could be damaged or destroyed beyond repair or recognition. But active traditions, on the other hand, are a different matter. To a large extent they are under our control. Traditions are often passed down through generations. Many that were started a hundred years ago are still practised today because their forefathers passed it down to later generations. In a way, something being added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site provides an incentive for folk to preserve it because it’s an honour for it to be included in the first place. And they would want to make sure it stays on the list by actively practising it. Once they stop, the listing will be removed which they wouldn’t want. Moreover, not only is the tradition passed down but so too is the fact that it’s listed and, therefore, very important to their culture and tradition.

The UAE has a unique type of art called Sand Art that appears in bottles with a very small mouth and narrow neck. I’m still baffled as to how this art is accomplished. How on earth are the artists able to make such intricate designs of prominent buildings on the inside of these tiny bottles? It appears impossible but it’s done with mind boggling accuracy. I am, therefore, a little surprised that this art form is not listed on the UNESCO site.

The UAE has so many other wonderful amazing traditions, all of which are a painter’s dream. For example, Dhow building has been around for decades and these crafts are not only functional but they’re a dream to paint whether they’re docked or sailing! Then there’s an art called Burqa Crafting. We know about the traditional face coverings that many Emirati ladies wear. The skill is in putting that metallic sheen on the fabric that covers the face and it almost looks like metal. The craftsmanship is unmatched.

There are traditions in other countries that have also not been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. For example, in Italy there is the art of glass blowing to make glass items. In the UK, there’s the craft of weaving tartans, a cloth with a unique chequered design that is often used to make the kilt which is the traditional attire of the Scotsman. And in Japan there is the art of repairing broken pottery so that it can continue to be used.

I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before many of these unique traditions, and others, will be protected by UNESCO.