Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Element Name
Hasir – Palm-Frond Mat
Practice Environment
All environments
Practice Location
All Emirates of the UAE
Scope of Practice
All segments of society
Heritage Domain/ Category
Customs, Traditions and Social Etiquette
Element Type/ Subcategory
Traditions and Etiquette of Food and Hospitality
Current Status
Living heritage

Hasir – Palm-Frond Mat

A hasir is a traditional mat made from date-palm fronds, usually rectangular in shape. Several names were used according to size and purpose: hasir referred to a smaller mat; simmah was similar in use and size; yiziyah was a mat woven from palm fronds; and maddah was larger than a hasir. These mats were used in everyday life for members of the household and their guests to sit on.

Criteria Applicable to Nominate Element

01

Presence in Collective Memory and Intergenerational Cohesion: A cultural element is considered deeply rooted when it is held in the collective memory of the community and forms part of their daily experiences, occasions, and social relationships. It also contributes to strengthening the bonds of interaction between different generations, as it is transmitted from elders to younger members, providing a space for celebration and communal participation, thereby creating a sense of belonging and continuity.

02

Continuity and Intergenerational Transmission: The element is passed from one generation to the next, either orally through stories, songs, and narratives, or practically through training and hands-on practice. This living process ensures the element’s survival and development over time, while maintaining its connection to its cultural roots.

03

Preserving the Element within the Living Community Context: The element derives its value from being actively practiced in people’s daily lives or within their rituals and social occasions. Preserving the element does not mean freezing it in time, but rather supporting it to continue in its original environment, while respecting its natural evolution within the community context.

Customer pulse Search
This site is registered on wpml.org as a development site. Switch to a production site key to remove this banner.