The traditional men’s cloak known as the Bisht has been officially recorded on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The decision was announced on December 10, 2025, during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in New Delhi, India.
A Joint Arab Nomination
The addition resulted from a joint nomination submitted by several Arab countries, including Syria, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, and Oman. The multinational file highlighted the Bisht’s shared cultural significance across the Arab world and reflected coordinated efforts to preserve and promote common intangible heritage through collective cultural action.
The Bisht is traditionally worn over the thobe during important social and ceremonial occasions such as weddings, religious celebrations, and official events. It is widely associated with dignity, social standing, and cultural identity. The garment is distinguished by its craftsmanship, including the use of materials such as wool, camel hair, or cashmere, and decorative embroidery often executed with gold or silver threads. These techniques have been passed down through generations of artisans across the region.
Syrian Cultural Heritage on UNESCO Lists
The Syrian Ministry of Culture noted that the inscription reinforces the international recognition of Arab cultural traditions and underscores the value of joint efforts in safeguarding intangible heritage. The Bisht joins several other cultural elements associated with Syria already recognized by UNESCO, including traditional glassblowing, the making and playing of the oud, Aleppine singing (al-Qudud al-Halabiya), practices related to the Damascene rose, and shadow theatre (Khayal al-Zill).
Despite changes in fashion and lifestyle, the Bisht continues to be worn on formal and ceremonial occasions, maintaining its role as a symbol of continuity and cultural identity. Its inclusion on UNESCO’s list represents an important step toward preserving, documenting, and transmitting this tradition to future generations, ensuring its place within humanity’s shared cultural heritage.
