The Committee

1. Takes note that the Syrian Arab Republic, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Oman, State of Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates have nominated Arabic Kohl (No. 02261) for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

Arabic Kohl is both a craft and a social practice that is integral to the lifestyle of Bedouin and nomadic tribes, as well as rural, marshland, and fishing communities in the Arab region. It is a fine black powder used as eyeliner by people of all genders, serving not only as a cosmetic but also for protection against wind, sand and sunlight. A part of everyday life, special occasions and religious rituals, it is made from natural ingredients, with the preparation varying according to local environments and lifestyles. Kohl is made either at home or in gatherings, mostly by women, who transmit the related knowledge and skills to their daughters and granddaughters.

2. 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:   Arabic kohl is typically stored in decorative containers called ‘makhala’, which are often passed down as family keepsakes. The practice is also transmitted through oral traditions, community events, schools and cultural institutions. In addition to being a symbol of community identity and a key part of daily beauty routines, kohl is used as a physical and spiritual healing remedy. It promotes dialogue and fosters meaningful exchanges between nations and communities of women. Kohl-rimmed eyes also serve as a strong form of female expression, particularly in societies where only eyes are visible due to face coverings.

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. Allied to healthcare, the element reflects communities' reliance on intangible cultural heritage to benefit from the environment and adapt to challenging climate conditions. Spotlighting women's leadership in social, cultural and economic domains, the element contributes to gender equality and inclusive economic development. Furthermore, kohl production empowers rural women, facilitating income generation, and reduces reliance on foreign imports. The practice encourages conscious production and consumption, offering natural alternatives to mainstream cosmetics and minimizing environmental impact. The element also contributes to peace and social cohesion, as its production encourages cooperation, empathy and care.

R.3:   A range of diverse safeguarding measures intended to protect and promote the element is coherently and clearly presented. Designed for rural and urban areas, these measures were developed through open dialogue among the communities, groups and individuals concerned, as well as non-governmental organizations and governmental authorities across the submitting States Parties. Distributed across six pillars, they focus on awareness-raising, research and documentation, promotion and revitalization, socio-economic development, dialogue, and knowledge-sharing between communities in the States Parties.

R.4:   The submitting States Parties have demonstrated community engagement in various activities of the nomination process, such as interviews, live demonstrations, visits and consultations. Each State Party formed a national team to lead the process under general coordination. Extensive field research was conducted, even in remote communities and nomadic settlements. In this sense, the nomination process exceeded its objectives, allowing the teams to learn about previously undocumented aspects of their lives. The use of informal means of communication and social media to ensure coverage of live demonstrations of kohl-making stimulated public interest in the process.

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 periodicity of these inventories is also provided, and varies between one and five years, on average. In all States Parties, communities, groups and non-governmental organizations participate in the inventorying processes.

3. Decides to inscribe Arabic Kohl on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity;
4. Commends the States Parties for their exemplary demonstration of regional cooperation around a cultural practice that historically connects diverse communities under a collective identity, despite challenging conflicts and instabilities;
5. Further commends the States Parties for producing a good-quality video that clearly demonstrates the bearers’ participation in the preparation and use of the element.