The Date Palm – Date Culture - Ministry of Culture

Element Name

The Date Palm – Date Culture

Other Names

Date-Palm Culture

Practice Environment

Oases, Desert

Practice Location

All Emirates of the UAE

Scope of Practice

All segments of society

Heritage Domain/ Category

Knowledge and Practices Concerning Nature and the Universe

Element Type/ Subcategory

Agricultural knowledge

Current Status

Living heritage

The Date Palm – Date Culture

The date palm is a central element of Emirati life and is associated with date cultivation and multiple uses encompassing food, construction and traditional crafts. This culture developed alongside settlement in oases and became an essential part of the traditional economy.

Criteria Applicable to Nominate Element

01

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.