Oman Registers “Bisht” on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List

Oman, as part of a joint Arab initiative led by the State of Qatar, has successfully registered “Bisht: skills and traditional practices of production and use” as a shared Arab cultural element on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The Bisht is a traditional Arab ceremonial cloak worn over the dishdasha, reserved for official, national, royal, and diplomatic occasions. It symbolizes dignity, social status, and formal prestige, and is typically crafted from fine fabric with gold or silver embroidered edging, reflecting refined artisanal craftsmanship passed down through generations.

This achievement was announced during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003 Convention), held in New Delhi, India, from December 8 to 13, 2025.

The inscription of the Bisht represents the outcome of coordinated and collective efforts by Arab countries in preparing the nomination file, serving as a clear example of deep Arab cultural cooperation in safeguarding shared heritage and ensuring its transmission to future generations.

With this latest inscription, the total number of Omani elements listed on UNESCO’s Representative List has reached 16 elements. These include:
Al-Bar‘ah traditional dance (2010); Al-Azi ceremonial chanting and Al-Taghrood camel drivers’ poetry (2012); Al-Ayyala martial dance (2014); Al-Razfa stick dance, Arabic coffee, and cultural majlis gatherings (2015); the ritual display of horses and camels (2018); the date palm and associated traditions (2019); camel racing and related knowledge (2020); Arabic calligraphy (2021); the Omani dagger (khanjar) and Al-Hida’ camel herders’ chant (2022); the traditional dish Harees (2023); and the Shabab Oman ship programme and traditional henna practices (2024).

source omannews