Semsemeya music instrument crafting and playing and Henna rituals, aesthetic and social practices were enlisted on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity of UNESCO.
The Semsemeya is a popular harp-like instrument crafted and played among communities in the Suez Canal region in Egypt and also in Saudi Arabia.
It has its special folk dance originating from the sign language, created by “boat merchants” who used to come to sell their goods in their tiny boats to big canal ships.
Meanwhile, Henna-centred aesthetics and rituals are practised by millions in 16 Arab countries.
Henna is a deciduous tree that grows in 16 Arab countries, including Egypt, UAE, and Algeria to name but a few.
The Henna paste is commonly used by women for adornment, such as to dye hair and fingertips or to decorate hands and feet.
It symbolizes joy and is used daily and on festive occasions, such as births and weddings.
Henna branches, leaves, and paste are also used in crafts and for medicinal purposes, including treating certain skin diseases. It is use is frequently accompanied by chants, song anchors, proverbs, and poems and is linked to centuries-old societal rules and traditions.
The listings are Egypt’s 10th ICH element to be registered with UNESCO.
In 2023, Egypt and UNESCO celebrated 20 years since adopting the 2003 Convention of Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage.
During this time, Egypt managed to enlist 10 Egyptian Intangible Cultural Heritage Elements:
Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah epic in 2008
Tahteeb, stick game in 2016
Traditional hand puppetry in 2018
Handmade weaving in Upper Egypt in 2020
Arabic calligraphy: knowledge, skills and practices in 2021
Festivals related to the Journey of the Holy family in Egypt in 2022
Date palm, knowledge, skills, traditions and practices in 2022
Arts, skills and practices associated with engraving on metals (gold, silver and copper) in 2023
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