The Committee
- Takes note that Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the Syrian Arab Republic and the United Arab Emirates have nominated Bisht (men’s Abaa): skills and practices (No. 02233) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:
Bisht is a traditional outer garment worn by men during special occasions such as births, weddings, funerals, ceremonies and festivals. The long garment, which is worn over regular clothes, is draped over the shoulders, wrapped across the chest and held on one side, leaving the right hand free for greetings. The style varies according to the region, season and time of day, and the garment is made from natural materials such as wool and camel or goat hair.
- 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: Skilled artisans, including men and women, participate in the production process, which involves spinning, dyeing, weaving and tailoring. The edges are carefully embroidered by hand around the neckline and halfway down the garment using fine silk or gold- and silver-coated threads. The knowledge and skills involved in making, wearing and preserving the Bisht are passed down both informally within families and workshops and formally through schools and institutes specializing in arts and traditional attire. The garment holds deep social and cultural meaning for the practising communities, and is perceived as a symbol of respect, protection and, in some cases, social status and leadership. It also connects people to their cultural identity while promoting social harmony and shared cultural heritage.
R.2: The submitting States Parties consistently identify how the element contributes to sustainable development and how its inscription would ensure the visibility and awareness of the importance of intangible cultural heritage. Integrated into the design, decoration and embroidery curricula, the element contributes to quality education. As a collaborative work between men and women, it fosters dialogue and gender equality, as well as social cohesion. It also provides inclusive economic development, by offering job opportunities and fair income to diverse individuals, groups and communities. In the environmental dimension, the use of natural materials and environmentally friendly energy contributes to sustainability. Finally, the element reinforces the spirit of innovation and creativity, representing cultural diversity.
R.3: The safeguarding measures are extensive, integrated and implemented in all States Parties through collaboration between the governments, communities, non-governmental organizations, and individuals concerned. These measures include documentation activities, preservation through ethnographic museums, and inventorying the element. Other measures are outlined according to the specific characteristics of each State Party, with the objective of improving the visibility of the element in its respective contexts. These may involve financial incentives, integration into curricula, dissemination, festivals, and publications, among other initiatives.
R.4: The nomination was prepared in the context of the documentation activities focused on the element, which was one of the priorities for international recognition. Following an initiative by Qatar in 2021, a multinational consultation concerning the nomination proposal was discussed during several meetings held in each State Party. In 2023, a general virtual meeting was held, attended by representatives of all the States concerned. This was followed by a series of meetings and discussions in each State, which led to the creation of a working group composed of practitioners, experts, government agencies and non-governmental organizations. Finally, two physical meetings were held, in 2023 and 2024, bringing together several stakeholders to refine and validate the data relating to the nomination.
R.5: The nomination file lists the names of the inventories in which the element is included in each State Party, along with information on the respective responsible bodies, relevant reference numbers and dates of inclusion (between 2012 and 2024). Information on the updating and periodicity of these inventories is provided in the periodic reports submitted by Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Syrian Arab Republic and the United Arab Emirates. The periodicity varies from one to five years, or according to the need to include or revise elements in each State Party. In all of them, communities, groups and non-governmental organizations participate actively in the processes.
- Decides to inscribe Bisht (men’s Abaa): skills and practices on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity;
- Commends the States Parties for their exemplary collaboration in promoting the recognition of a shared cultural element.