Emirati traditions carry practical knowledge: how to weave shelter, welcome a guest, remember events through poetry and work at sea. They also connect generations as skills pass between family members, craftspeople and learners. Start with the materials and the people who know how to use them.
Weaving, palm work and decorative thread
السدو (Al Sadu), traditional Bedouin weaving, uses sheep’s wool, camel hair and goat hair to make patterned textiles for tents, furnishings and animal accessories. Its geometric designs come from a craft learned through observation and practice. Explore the materials and methods in Al Sadu weaving.
الخوص (khoos), palm-leaf weaving, turns date-palm leaves into baskets, fans, mats and food covers. التلي (talli), decorative threadwork, combines cotton or silk with metallic threads to embellish women’s clothing. These are distinct skills, not interchangeable names for embroidery.
Hospitality and the shared table
The مجلس (majlis) is a gathering space for conversation, receiving guests and discussing community matters. قهوة (gahwa), Arabic coffee, accompanies this hospitality, often with dates. Our guide to the majlis and Arabic coffee explains the setting and serving customs.
Food carries its own knowledge. هريس (harees), made with wheat, meat and ghee, is associated with generosity and communal occasions, particularly during Ramadan and at weddings. Follow the Emirati cuisine guide to understand dishes through their ingredients, preparation and place at the table.
Poetry spoken and performed
الشعر النبطي (al-shi‘r al-nabati), vernacular Arabic poetry, addresses love, advice, belonging and contemporary concerns alongside memories of earlier life. Its language differs from the formal Arabic of classical verse. Nabati poetry offers a starting point for listening as well as reading.
The sea and the built environment
Pearl diving relied on a whole crew: divers, rope handlers, captains and singers. Divers worked without breathing apparatus; the skill and danger of their labour should remain central to any account of pearling.
On land, building materials and design met different needs. Coral stone, timber and palm fronds appear in Dubai’s historic architecture; narrow lanes and carefully placed windows show a concern for climate and privacy. The بارجيل (barjeel), or wind tower, is a prominent feature of Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. Explore these relationships in traditional Emirati architecture.
Dress as everyday heritage
The كندورة (kandura), a long robe worn by men, and عباءة (abaya), a women’s outer garment, are everyday clothing, not simply ceremonial dress. The Emirati dress guide introduces garments and their use. Visitors do not need to adopt national dress to show respect.
UNESCO recognition: national and shared traditions
UNESCO’s intangible heritage lists recognise practices, knowledge and how they pass between people, not ownership of a tradition by one country. Selected UAE inscriptions include:
- Al Sadu: first inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List in 2011, then transferred to the Representative List in 2025.
- Talli: inscribed in 2022.
- Harees: a 2023 inscription shared with Oman and Saudi Arabia.
- Arabic coffee: the current, expanded inscription dates to 2024 and includes the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
The UAE’s entries also include the majlis, falconry, date-palm knowledge and Arabic calligraphy. Consult UNESCO’s UAE list for the full records and participating countries. These living-heritage inscriptions are separate from UNESCO World Heritage designations for places.
Meet the makers and look closely
House of Artisans at the Qasr Al Hosn site introduces traditional crafts through demonstrations and learning activities.
- Check the venue’s programme before travelling for a particular workshop.
- Ask which materials and techniques a maker uses, rather than judging only the finished pattern.
- Seek permission before photographing people, and ask before handling tools or unfinished work.