Emirati Traditions
The UNESCO list
| Tradition | What it is | Year on the list |
|---|---|---|
| Majlis | A cultural and social meeting space | 2015 |
| Arabic coffee | A symbol of generosity | 2024 |
| Falconry | Hunting and living with falcons | 2021 |
| Camel racing | A social practice and festive heritage | 2020 |
| Alheda'a | Oral calls for camel herds | 2022 |
| Date palm | Knowledge, skills and traditions | 2022 |
| Al Aflaj | Traditional irrigation channels and water sharing | 2020 |
| Al Sadu | Traditional weaving, with a safeguarding programme on a separate register | 2025 |
| Al Talli | Traditional embroidery | 2022 |
| Bisht | The men's cloak and the skills to make it | 2025 |
| Henna | Rituals and social practices | 2024 |
| Arabic kohl | Eye kohl and its preparation | 2025 |
| Arabic calligraphy | Knowledge, skills and practices | 2021 |
| Al Taghrooda | Bedouin chanted poetry, shared with Oman | 2012 |
| Al Ayyala | A performing art, shared with Oman | 2014 |
| Al Razfa | A performing art | 2015 |
| Al Azi | Poetry of praise and pride; in need of urgent safeguarding | 2017 |
| Al Ahalla | A living performing art | 2025 |
| Zaffa | The procession of the traditional wedding | 2025 |
| Harees | The dish and the skills to make it | 2023 |
Source: UNESCO: United Arab Emirates, elements on the Intangible Cultural Heritage lists1
The year is the one UNESCO shows for the current listing. Some traditions were first listed earlier and later extended or moved to another register.
The majlis and coffee
The majlis is where guests are received. Visitors take off their shoes at the entrance, stand for new guests and elders, and men and women may sit in different sections. Gahwa with dates opens every welcome.2,3
Water, land and the desert
Falaj channels, which bring groundwater to farms, date back to the Iron Age, between 1300 and 300 BC. The date palm, falconry, camel racing and the calls used to gather camel herds all appear on the UNESCO list.4,1
Dress and crafts
Emiratis dress conservatively in traditional dress. UNESCO lists the skills behind the men's bisht, Al Talli embroidery, Al Sadu weaving, henna and Arabic kohl.2,1
Ask before photographing people at heritage events, as you would anywhere in the UAE.2
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main Emirati traditions?
UNESCO lists 21 UAE entries, including the majlis, Arabic coffee, falconry, camel racing, the date palm, Al Sadu weaving, Al Ayyala and harees.
The traditions, one by one
National days
National Day
2 December, the Union of 1971; two days off.
1971 Year of the Union
Read moreCommemoration Day
30 November; a minute of silence at 11:30.
2015 Year declared
Read moreFlag Day
3 November; flags raised across the country.
2012 Year declared
Read more
Hospitality and social life
Majlis
Where guests are received and news is shared.
2015 Year on the UNESCO list
Read moreArabic coffee
The etiquette of gahwa, a symbol of generosity.
2024 Year on the UNESCO list
Read moreZaffa
The procession of the traditional wedding.
2025 Year on the UNESCO list
Read moreHenna
Henna for weddings, Eid and everyday adornment.
2024 Year on the UNESCO list
Read more
Desert, camels and water
Falconry
Training and flying falcons, a 4,000-year practice.
2021 Year on the UNESCO list
Read moreCamel racing
How racing camels are chosen, trained and raced.
2020 Year on the UNESCO list
Read moreAlheda'a
The calls herders use to guide their camels.
2022 Year on the UNESCO list
Read moreDate palm
Cultivation, crafts and the place of dates in daily life.
2022 Year on the UNESCO list
Read moreAl Aflaj
Underground channels that share water fairly.
2020 Year on the UNESCO list
Read more
Crafts and dress
Al Sadu
Bedouin weaving, saved by a 12-year programme.
2025 Year on the UNESCO list
Read moreAl Talli
Silver-thread embroidery, in demand before Eid.
2022 Year on the UNESCO list
Read moreBisht
The men's ceremonial cloak, hand-embroidered.
2025 Year on the UNESCO list
Read moreArabic kohl
Eyeliner against sun and sand, kept in a makhala.
2025 Year on the UNESCO list
Read moreArabic calligraphy
The art of the 28 letters, from qalam to calligraffiti.
2021 Year on the UNESCO list
Read more
Poetry and performing arts
Al Taghrooda
Poetry chanted on camelback; on UNESCO's list since 2012.
2012 Year on the UNESCO list
Read moreAl Ayyala
Drums, poetry and two facing rows of men.
2014 Year on the UNESCO list
Read moreAl Razfa
Two singing lines, drums and replica rifles.
2015 Year on the UNESCO list
Read moreAl Azi
Recited poetry, on UNESCO's urgent safeguarding list.
2017 Year on the UNESCO list
Read moreAl Ahalla
Poetry chanted in circles, with sticks instead of drums.
2025 Year on the UNESCO list
Read more
Sources
- UNESCO: United Arab Emirates, elements on the Intangible Cultural Heritage lists
- UAE Government Portal: Social responsibility and etiquette (archived copy of 13 July 2026; the page has since been removed)
- Visit Abu Dhabi: Emirati food and coffee culture
- UAE Government Portal: History
Facts checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information.