of theIntangible Cultural Inscribed onUNESCO's Traditional Chanted Poetry Heritage ofHumanity Representative List

Al-Taghrooda 2015 Al-Taghrooda Introduction

The traditional Bedouin chanted poetry responding to him. These poems may Al-Taghrooda is a common custom be chanted during night gatherings traditionally practised in UAE by tribes and ceremonies held for other social known for their interest in raising occasions and events, as this particular camels and travelling on camelback. poetry is not accompanied by any kind The various themes of Al-Taghrooda Al Manhali (Al Ain). As we have seen, This traditional art is ubiquitous in of musical instrument. include romantic love, friendship, the bearer of the banner of this form the western region and the city of Al ambitions, praise and tribal relations. of heritage should not be the poets, Ain, in addition to certain Bedouin Al-Taghrooda poetry is composed of This type of poetry is straightforward since many people known for this type communities around the mountainous short verses (usually less than seven in and does not use complex metaphorical of poetry are in fact performers and areas of Ras Al Khaimah and total) and follows the tafa'il, the metrical images. It plays a significant role in improvisers, as Al-Taghrooda involves Fujairah, and the inhabitants of small unit, or foot, in the Arabic poetry system. documenting the social and cultural repetitive chanting and singing. This agricultural villages, known in heritage The metrical unit in Al-Taghrooda is history of the region. The poets who bore is because poetic expression is an as Al-Mahdar. There, elderly people called sari', also sometimes known the banner of this form of heritage were individual talent, sometimes inherited gather to recite poems to an audience as rajaz (prosody), which is a metre mostly adult males who spent a lot of as it is passed down through the consisting of family members. The new used in classical Arabic poetry. The their time on camelback, for they were family, and can be picked up simply by communities and societies that have song is performed by exaggerating and the most prestigious members of their accompanying elderly persons within formed around the camel markets in extending the sound of Arabic vowels. society, enjoying a great deal of respect the group at daily social gatherings or Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Umm Al The Bedouin thought that this kind of and appreciation for the role they played special festivities and occasions. Some Quwain are also key locations for these poetry and chanting would entertain in introducing and transmitting this forms of Al-Taghrooda have appeared groups. the traveller and encourage the camels heritage to the masses. in other folklore, such as Al Ayala to walk in time, perhaps even creating a and Al Iona. Moreover, some of these Al-Taghrooda is a popular type of faster pace with the rhythm. Bedouin women have been-and still poems are frequently repeated in daily traditional Bedouin chanted poetry, In fact, Al-Taghrooda has undergone are-known for their ability to compose conversations and have become one of composed by poets and recited by men many changes in the past few decades, and chant the poems of Al-Taghrooda the integral components of wisdom. travelling on camelback through the due to the social and economic while engaged in collective work, but desert. Al-Taghrooda begins with the transformations that have occurred in they have always been fewer in number composition or improvisation of a short the region, becoming a form of poetic than the male participants. Chief poem, usually recited and repeated expression using certain poetic meters, among the most famous poets to have by other travellers. These poems and and it is now unnecessary for it to be excelled in this heritage-based art in songs are performed either individually accompanied by chanting. This type of the United Arab Emirates are Obaid or collectively by camel riders, with the poetry is also now commonly presented Ibn-Maa'aded Al Nua`imi (Al Wajan), main performer or group leader singing in written or recorded form. Ahmad Ibn-Salem Bal Abda Al Shamsi the first line, and the rest of the group (Al Ain) and Mohammed Ibn-Hamed Social and Cultural Functions and Meanings of Al-Taghrooda

Historically, the main function of Al-Taghrooda poetry was to entertain travellers in their journeys across the vast and spacious steppes and regions of the area. In addition, it played a significant role in consolidating social bonding and societal cohesion among the members of the community through the oral exchange of subjects, sending messages to loved ones, relatives, friends and the community, as well as tribal chieftains and elders. Furthermore, Al-Taghrooda is considered the poet’s medium through which they can raise and remark upon social issues, as well as being a significant means for resolving disputes between individuals and tribes, attracting attention to specific historical feats and achievements, and maintaining good neighbourly relations with other tribes.

Nowadays, in response to varying and transforming social and economic conditions, Al-Taghrooda poems deal with both traditional and modern themes when they are recited on a variety of occasions, such as weddings, when honouring tribal guests, and national festivities, especially during the camel races.

There is no doubt that the entertainment context of Al- Taghrooda provides the masses with a good opportunity to learn more about their history, in addition to their everyday, traditional lives. Thus, it has evolved into a popular celebration, a representation of cultural identity, and a sign of finesse for those who practiced the custom in the past. This type of poetry is still replete with significance due to its popularity, as it continues to be of great importance in connecting the many diverse social groups in the region. Al-Taghrooda on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

The inclusion of Al-Taghrooda on to mention the fact that Al-Taghrooda UNESCO's representative list of is a significant and crucial part of the the Intangible Cultural Heritage of cumulative book of achievements and Humanity represents an increase in the feats of tribal Bedouin poetry which propagation of this significant aspect encompasses their history, cultural of heritage, with many NGOs actively values and social customs, as well as and effectively engaging in promoting their perspective of the world, their it through the launching of propaganda wisdom and their expressive culture. In campaigns declaring it a unique form of fact, the poets and holders of the banner literary art. They granted the idea of its of this heritage are part of the wider candidacy for UNESCO wide popularity heritage of the community; especially and the support of the masses. These as few poets are still alive (the number collective efforts have undoubtedly in Abu Dhabi only amounts to roughly raised the awareness of the importance 300 poets, according to research of intangible cultural heritage on both a conducted by the Academy of Poetry). public and private level. Moreover, the inclusion of this heritage element on UNESCO's list is an effective It is worth noting that the key motivation for heritage associations to implication of Al-Taghrooda's inclusion give presentations on social events and on UNESCO's representative list is poetry competitions, particularly those in providing opportunities for the held during annual heritage festivals permanence and continuity of Al- or camel races, and a catalyst for the Taghrooda as a genuine form of enhancement of this lyrical art form in heritage. In addition, the international dealing with current societal themes. recognition will help strengthen Certainly, some verses of Al-Taghrooda the cohesion and bonding between have already been integrated with some many social groups, boosting and elements of other intangible cultural consolidating their cultural roots, not heritage, such as the Al-Ayyala dance.