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THE Arabian Horse, a breed with historic roots in the region, could soon be on Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, with 17 Arab countries set to nominate the majestic equine in March next year.
This was confirmed during a co-ordination meeting, hosted by Bahrain earlier this week, to discuss the nomination and advance the application process.
The meeting was organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) in co-operation with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation.
Arabian Horse
This marks the first time Bahrain has led a joint Arab submission for Intangible Cultural Heritage.
If accepted, the Arabian Horse will be the fourth Intangible Cultural Heritage with Bahrain’s name attached to it, joining ‘Date palm, knowledge, skills, traditions and practices’, ‘Arabic calligraphy: knowledge, skills and practices’, and ‘Fijiri’ (a musical performance that commemorates the history of pearl diving in Bahrain) – all added in 2021.
Officials during the meeting in Bahrain
“We are proud to lead joint Arab efforts to include the Arabian Horse on Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list alongside 17 Arab countries,” said Baca president Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.
“This reflects Bahrain’s pioneering role in safeguarding Arab cultural heritage and its dedication to preserving this legacy for future generations.”
During the intensive three-day deliberations, participants discussed various aspects of the Arabian Horse nomination file, highlighting its deep-rooted significance in Arab heritage and culture, its historical contributions and its impact on the social, economic and cultural landscapes of the region.
Attendees following the meeting
With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian Horse is one of the most easily recognisable breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest modern breeds. Although modern DNA cannot trace breed purity in the modern population beyond 200 years, there is archaeological evidence of horses in the Middle East with characteristics dating back 3,500 years.
During the meeting, strategies for preserving this heritage through effective safeguarding measures aligned with sustainable development were discussed, along with ways to foster community engagement and promote pride in this shared heritage.
The initiative follows a recommendation from the 23rd Conference of Ministers Responsible for Cultural Affairs in the Arab World, held in Riyadh in December 2022.
Bahrain will finalise the nomination file for submission to Unesco in March 2025, with an anticipated evaluation by the UN body’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2026.
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