Semsemeya folk music and Henna traditions were added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list on Thursday, 5 December, according to a statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Culture. This achievement was made possible through the active participation of an Egyptian delegation led by Dr. Nahla Imam, Advisor to the Minister of Culture for Intangible Cultural Heritage, along with the collective work of 16 Arab nations: the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Palestine, Tunisia, Algeria, Bahrain, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Yemen, and Qatar. UNESCO described henna on its website as “a symbol of joy, used both in everyday life and during special celebrations like births and weddings.” The UNESCO World Heritage List is a collection of cultural, natural, and mixed tangible and intangible sites recognized for their exceptional value to humanity. Established in 1972 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the list aims to preserve these sites for future generations. What is the semsemeya? In the 19th century, during Egypt’s British occupation, local music underwent a powerful revival, with the semsemeya—a traditional lyre-like string instrument—playing a central role. Resembling a harp in shape, the…
