Al Sadu Weaving
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name in Arabic | السدو |
| UNESCO list | Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity |
| Year on the list | 2025 |
| Listed by | United Arab Emirates |
| Earlier listing | Urgent Safeguarding List, 2011 |
Source: UNESCO: Al Sadu, traditional weaving skills in the United Arab Emirates1
Why it was at risk
After oil, Bedouin communities moved to the cities and left pastoral life behind. The slow work, the low pay compared with modern jobs and a growing taste for factory fabric meant fewer young people learned to weave.2
The safeguarding programme
From 2011 to 2023, research, documentation, training, marketing support and awareness campaigns kept the craft going and created jobs and income for many people. UNESCO added the programme to its Register of Good Safeguarding Practices in 2025.2,1
How it is learned
Weavers gather in small groups to spin and weave, sharing family news and sometimes chanting poetry. Girls learn by watching, start with tasks such as sorting the wool, and move on to the harder skills.1
Sources
- UNESCO: Al Sadu, traditional weaving skills in the United Arab Emirates
- UNESCO: Safeguarding programme for Al Sadu, traditional weaving skills in the United Arab Emirates
- UNESCO: United Arab Emirates, elements on the Intangible Cultural Heritage lists
Facts checked 22 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information.