A new temporary exhibition titled “Intangible Cultural Heritage — A Bridge for Dialogue Among Cultures” opened at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo’s Tahrir Square this week offering visitors a unique perspective on Egypt’s rich living heritage.

The exhibition brings together photographs and artefacts highlighting the intersection of intangible cultural practices and ancient historical representations.

The photographic series presents cultural cartographies, linking Egyptian intangible heritage with similar traditions worldwide. It also celebrates the rich tapestry of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in Egypt on a captivating journey through its diversity. It highlights the living and ever-changing nature of such expressions, practices, and knowledge and underscores our shared humanity.

The exhibition focuses on eight Egyptian traditions recognised by the UN cultural agency UNESCO under its Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. These traditions, passed down through generations, are integral to Egypt’s cultural identity and are continuously adapted and recreated within communities to maintain a sense of continuity and resilience.

Through the display of contemporary photographs and archaeological objects, the exhibition draws connections between present-day cultural practices and their ancient roots. This dialogue between the past and present provides an opportunity for visitors to explore the dynamic evolution of these traditions and their enduring significance.

The exhibition features Egyptian cultural practices recognised by UNESCO such as the Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyah, recognised in 2008, an oral tradition of storytelling, poetry, and songs that preserves the history and cultural values of communities.

Also on display is Al-Tahteeb (the stick game), recognised in 2016, which is a traditional martial art that promotes physical well-being and social interaction. Traditional hand puppetry (Al-Aragoz), recognised in 2018, is a performing art that nurtures community bonds. Handmade weaving in Upper Egypt, recognised in 2020, is a textile craft tradition passed down through generations, while Arabic calligraphy, recognised in 2021, is the art of Arabic writing, representing cultural identity and historical continuity.

Festivals related to the Journey of the Holy Family in Egypt, recognised in 2022, consist of rituals and festivals that foster a sense of community belonging. In the same year date palm knowledge, skills, traditions, and practices were also recognised along with agricultural traditions that support communities and the environment.

Arts, skills, and practices associated with engraving on metals (gold, silver, and copper) is the last Egyptian tradition inscribed by UNESCO in 2023 and is traditional metalwork preserved over generations.

In addition to exploring the exhibition, visitors can delve deeper into Egypt’s broader cultural history through other displays at the Egyptian Museum, gaining a fuller understanding of the nation’s enduring cultural legacy. A booklet that offers detailed insights into the exhibition and provides additional context on Egypt’s rich intangible cultural heritage is also available.

“The main message of this exhibition is about building bridges,” said Nuria Sanz, director of the UNESCO Regional Office and UNESCO Representative in Cairo, explaining that one of these bridges is a temporal one as the exhibition connects contemporary cultural practices with their ancient roots.

The objects displayed reveal the deep cultural resilience and significance of Egypt’s living heritage. “Though sometimes museums feel almost too large, this one is profoundly insightful, guiding us through the early traces of today’s intangible heritage, as recognised by UNESCO in Egypt,” she said.

The second bridge is a thematic one as the archaeological pieces on display have been paired with UNESCO’s photographic and video archives. These images reflect materials, techniques, social meanings, and collective practices that continue today. Date palm handicrafts, for example, are seen both as a craft and a culinary tradition. Festivals are linked to musical instruments, pilgrimages, and sacred ceremonies. Calligraphy tells the story of the copyist’s role, the techniques used, and the preservation of linguistic diversity.

The photographic series presents cultural cartographies connecting Egypt’s intangible heritage with similar traditions from around the world. Cultures may express themselves differently, yet they all perform similar practices across remote geographies, the exhibition says.

The third bridge in the exhibition draws attention to smaller objects, often overlooked amid the vast displays in the upper galleries of the museum. “These tiny items, though small in size, speak loudly about the enduring relevance and contemporary meaning of the practices depicted in the photographs and videos,” said Sanz.

The last bridge is a geographical one. The exhibition includes eight photomosaics that create a dialogue between UNESCO-recognised practices in Egypt and related practices from around the world.

“The exhibition allows visitors to create their own meaningful connections,” said Sanz, explaining that it communicates several key messages. Among these is the fact that UNESCO’s Conventions can be showcased in museums, that museums can merge the DNA of these cultural conventions, and that artefacts, places, and practices can come together to illustrate both the uniqueness and the commonality of human practices across our shared world.

 

ESSENTIAL HERITAGE: Moamen Othman, head of the Museums Sector at the Ministry of Antiquities, emphasised the need to adopt strategies and policies that integrate heritage into various aspects of Egyptian society, as it is an essential part of the nation’s history.

He also stressed the responsibility of professionals working in heritage preservation, museum management, and relevant institutions, highlighting their crucial role in raising awareness about the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage for future generations.

He said that the exhibition team had made tremendous efforts and noted that the Egyptian Museum’s role now extends beyond preserving tangible heritage, such as artefacts, to focusing on the protection of intangible heritage. This broader vision is a key goal the museum aims to achieve in the coming period.

He also expressed gratitude to the UNESCO Cairo Office for its constructive cooperation in preserving Egypt’s cultural heritage and related fields.

The exhibition is divided into eight themes that display each tradition. The first theme is the festivals, where photographs depicting festivals relating the journey of the Holy Family in Egypt are on display along with other festivals showing the commemoration feast of the finding of the True Holy Cross of Christ (Ethiopia), the Yama, Hoko, and Yatai Festivals in Japan, ritual journeys in La Paz in Bolivia, the cultural space of the Brotherhood of the Holy Spirit of the Congos of Villa Mella in the Dominican Republic, and Rituals and Ceremonies of Sebeïba in the Oasis of Djanet in Algeria.

Festivals serve as a canvas for expressing identity through music, dance, storytelling, and rituals. ICH festivals play a vital role in preserving and promoting cultural heritage, as they honour historical traditions, customs, and practices. Festivals provide opportunities to learn about different cultures, traditions, and histories. They allow the discovery of new perspectives, art forms, and culinary delights.  

The second theme is the date palm. which holds immense cultural significance and for centuries has been associated with the construction and growth of civilisations in arid regions. Its deep roots seek out humidity, making it resilient in desert climates. Date palm parts (leaves and fronds) are used in traditional crafts and social rituals. The date palm is referenced in poetry and songs, reflecting its enduring presence in the region.

Beyond cultural practices, the date palm remains a key source of nutrition. Local communities and government agencies actively support its cultivation and associated professions. In 2022, UNESCO inscribed Date Palm, Knowledge, Skills, Traditions, and Practices on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognising its vital role in preserving heritage and fostering community bonds.

The third theme is calligraphy, which also holds immense significance as an expression of intangible heritage, reflecting its rich history and cultural identity. It was inscribed in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It conveys harmony, grace, and beauty through fluid writing. The photographs on display depict Arabic calligraphy from Mongolia and in Islamic art from Turkey.

The fourth theme is traditional weaving, recognised by UNESCO as an essential part of intangible heritage. Each region of the world has its own handloom weaving traditions, creating distinctive textiles. It is a unique form of artistic expression, deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of indigenous communities. Weaving is more than an art form, as it can also be a spiritual practice connecting weavers to their ancestors and the natural world.

The fifth theme is traditional hand puppetry, which connects generations, preserves heritage, and fosters creativity. It explores various themes related to daily life, often emphasising the struggle against corruption. Puppets play a significant role in storytelling across cultures, transcending geographical boundaries, and puppetry combines storytelling with intricate craftsmanship.

It encapsulates cultural heritage, preserving traditional narratives and moral values. Characters and stories in puppet shows mirror the societies they originate from. Audiences glimpse beliefs, historical narratives, and issues relevant to those communities. Puppets serve as cultural ambassadors, expressing identity and continuity.

The sixth theme is Al-Tahteeb, inscribed in 2016 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as a way of recognising its cultural importance and legacy. Originally used as a form of martial arts in ancient Egypt, the stick game has now become a festive game. Despite this transformation, some of the symbolism and values associated with the practice remain intact.

The seventh theme is Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyah epic (the Hilali epic), which is an oral poem recounting the saga of the Bani Hilal Bedouin tribe and its migration from the Arabian Peninsula to North Africa in the 10th century CE. It was inscribed in 2008 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The poem remains a vital part of Arabic cultural heritage, encapsulating the spirit, values, and adventures of the Bani Hilal tribe through a rich tradition of storytelling and poetry. It continues to be a subject of interest for historians, literary scholars, and cultural enthusiasts.

The eighth theme is engraving on metals and has a rich history, identity, and artistic heritage. The motifs and patterns used in metal engraving often carry symbolic meanings. It is a form of artistic expression that showcases the creativity and skills of craftspeople.

Traditional craftsmanship can provide livelihoods for artisans and their communities. By safeguarding and transmitting the art of metal engraving, we honour the past, support the present, and ensure a vibrant future for this important cultural practice.

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* A version of this article appears in print in the 3 October, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly