‘Shabab Oman’ has just been registered under Unesco’s ‘Register of Good Safeguarding Practices’. In addition, the popular leaf, henna, has also been recognised as being part of the ‘Intangible cultural heritage of humanity’.
The request for listing of the latter was made by various countries, including Oman.
What unites the two is that they both belong to an intangible heritage of a nation.
Intangible heritage is defined as products or processes which include “nonphysical intellectual wealth, such as folklore, customs, beliefs, traditions, knowledge and language”. As the name suggests, it is different from physical heritage which could include art and architecture.
This is a timely recognition because languages, rituals and customs are important to preserve. They reflect our past and who we are today. In many ways, they are more important than buildings like historical monuments because they focus on common people, not the select few who would be remembered by history.
Intangible heritage is what remains when all else is gone. It points to the songs, the rhythms of daily life, the small rituals that we follow even today without knowing exactly why. It reflects the wonders, anxieties and beliefs of a community through history.
‘Shabab Oman’, for example, recreates historical journeys embarked upon from Oman to various corners of the world using traditional maritime technology and techniques. As the ship travels to new destinations, it informs a new audience about Oman’s historical association with the seas and creates awareness about Omani civilisation and culture.
In doing so, it also documents and archives the traditional sea faring methods for future generations.
Similarly, henna also plays an important role in social customs and traditions. An important element of social occasions in Oman and elsewhere, henna is associated with joy, ceremony and festivity. Used in births and marriages, henna is also important for its medicinal properties, mainly cooling in hot, tropical parts of the world. When applied to the hair or peripheries like feet and hands, it cools down the temperature of the body.
Henna is often applied accompanied to the tune of songs and chants which include social commentary and advice. Some songs even pertain to the production and preservation of the henna tree itself, building on identity and a shared ancestral history. In fact, the designs of a henna on the hand are often inspired from textiles and buildings, creating a continuity between the world and its inhabitants.
Knowledge of the past is the first step to preserving the future. As is well known, a nation without a past is one without a future. Heritage, tangible or intangible, creates much needed roots, serving as a reminder of what is most important.
In an age of globalisation when everything appears to be similar, it is important to focus on the unique features that make a community distinct.
There is a wealth of knowledge that our ancestors have created over time. The vagaries of time have taken away much of this knowledge but protecting what remains is one of the most significant ways of preserving and asserting cultural identity.
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