United Arab Emirates

The UAE preserve Bedouin and pearling traditions of falconry, sadu weaving and Nabati poetry.

Nature & herbalism Textile & dress Language & oral Games & sport Food & cooking

Knowledge in this place

Pearl diving heritage

Pearl diving heritage

Free-diving and oyster-knowledge of the Gulf pearling economy before oil.

Nature & herbalism

Al-Sadu weaving

Al-Sadu weaving

Bedouin women's weaving of geometric wool bands for tents and saddlebags.

Textile & dress

Nabati poetry

Nabati poetry

Vernacular Bedouin verse composed and recited on themes of love, honour and land.

Language & oral

Falconry tradition

Falconry tradition

Training and hunting with falcons, a central Emirati cultural pursuit.

Harees cuisine

Harees cuisine

Wheat and meat slow-cooked and pounded into a smooth porridge for feasts.