Cultural gems that are part of world heritage

Al Sadu. Delores Johnson / The National

Al Razfa. Delores Johnson / The National

Al Ayyala. Silvia Razgova / The National

Al Taghrooda. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National

Gahwa. Silvia Razgova / The National

The majlis. Delores Johnson / The National

Included in the ticket price of this year’s Qasr Al Hosn Festival is a chance to seek out some of the UAE’s most important contributions to world culture.

Among the displays are all seven Emirati cultural traditions recognised by Unesco, the United Nations’ cultural organisation.

They have been added to Unesco’s lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage, including three in December last year.

They include majlis, defined as “the essence of culture, communication and community in Emirati society”, which can be experienced with gahwa, or Arabic coffee, in the Gahwa Cafe inside the Cultural Foundation.

Visitors should also look out for Al Razfa, a traditional performing art that combines music, rhythmic movements and chanted poetry. Al Razfa is a part of community celebrations.

Also being demonstrated is Al Taghrooda, another form of chanted poetry that would be delivered on camel journeys for entertainment, and at camp fires, weddings and other social occasions.

Many will be familiar with Al Ayyala, in which two rows of men face one another, chanting and moving to the beat of drums. That falconry is on the Unesco list will come as no surprise but the demonstrations at Qasr Al Hosn, which ends today, also include traditional songs accompanied by a single-stringed tambura.

The last of the seven is to be found in a Bedouin tent where you can watch women skilled in Al Sadu, the distinctive type of weaving that uses simple colours and geometric patterns to create fabrics used for everything from bags to camel saddles and tent decorations.