The Committee
- Takes note that Kuwait has nominated The Diwaniya, a unifying cultural practice in Kuwait (No. 02281) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
The Diwaniya is a space where men of all ages and backgrounds come together to talk, connect and share ideas. It can take place in a home, a public space, or even a tent, and serves as a key setting for family members, neighbours and friends to discuss topics such as family matters, community issues, politics and current events. While the gatherings can be small, they often grow larger during special occasions such as Ramadan, weddings, funerals or election campaigns.
- Considers that, from the information included in the file, the nomination satisfies the following criteria for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
R.1: Young men learn how to participate in Diwaniyas by observing how conversations are held, how guests are welcomed and how respect is shown to elders. Over time, they learn the unspoken rules, such as appropriate greetings, seating arrangements and conversation topics. Some Diwaniyas are formal, with traditional clothing and customs, while others are informal and may include games and entertainment. There are also specialized Diwaniyas where people from similar professions gather to share their experiences. Although they are traditionally male-centred, women have increasingly created their own Diwaniyas, establishing new spaces for dialogue and leadership. A strong symbol of social life and connection, the Diwaniya plays an important role in passing down the community’s values, customs and knowledge to younger generations.
R.2: As a friendly physical and social hub where men can discuss a wide range of topics while strengthening ties both with each other and with the community, the Diwaniya plays an important role in maintaining the social fabric. The element contributes to quality education by enriching cultural and educational dialogue within the community, mainly through seminars, cultural gatherings and political forums, many of which are inclusive and open to the public. Although it is traditionally a male world, the Diwaniya is also influenced by the evolution of gender dynamics and can open up to the participation of women, including female political candidates running for the National Assembly. With respect to health, the practice promotes psychological and social well-being. Inscribing the element would raise the visibility of intangible cultural heritage and stimulate intercultural dialogue.
R.3: The nomination file mentions a range of safeguarding measures led by individuals, the community and the State. They include: (a) workshops aimed at educating children about the rules of etiquette for meetings; (b) seminars and competitions organized by some Diwaniyas; (c) dissemination through radio programmes and social media; and (d) the preservation of historical buildings and cultural sites as spaces for conducting Diwaniyas.
R.4: The community of bearers contributed actively to the nomination, ensuring a balanced representation of the different types of Diwaniyas. The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters used social media platforms to solicit their participation in the nomination file, and the Kuwait Diwaniyas Union, which represents 650 Diwaniyas, played an important role in the nomination process, highlighting the collective work undertaken to safeguard the element. Efforts were made to engage experts, including independent scholars and specialists affiliated with academic institutions. The reference to young female architects contributing their perspectives provides a valuable demonstration of gender-inclusive participation.
R.5: The element was included in the National Inventory List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017. The inventory is managed and regularly updated by the Department of Antiquities and Museums, located at the Kuwait National Museum, which belongs to the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters. Updating the inventory requires research, study and interviews with the stakeholders.
- Decides to inscribe The Diwaniya, a unifying cultural practice in Kuwait on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.