Al Aflaj, traditional irrigation network system in the UAE, oral traditions, knowledge and skills of construction, maintenance and equitable water distribution

Overview

Al Aflaj and the related oral traditions, knowledge and skills of construction, maintenance and equitable water distribution are a source of pride for the associated communities. Al Aflaj is a traditional irrigation system which uses an underground tunnel to conduct water over long distances from an underground source to a basin, where the community can access it. The water flows by gradual gradient from highlands to flatlands, while the underground tunnels reduce evaporation. Al Aflaj also includes a network of surface channels, which distributes water to local farms. The Al Aflaj system is based on inherited knowledge and practices related to nature and the universe. It also relies on traditional skills in finding water sources based on types of vegetation and other indications, as well as drilling skills for maintaining the irrigation system and ensuring the equitable distribution...

This record is imported from the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage public dataset as discovery metadata. ARED has not independently verified community authority, access protocols or local naming beyond the source record.

Community and Authority

Communities: United Arab Emirates
Languages: Not specified in UNESCO dataset
Cultural territories: United Arab Emirates
Countries: United Arab Emirates

How the System Works

Language, Story and Memory Material Culture, Design and Technology Food, Agriculture and Seasonal Practice Law, Governance and Ethics Ways of Knowing and Knowledge Transmission

Sources and Evidence

Imported from UNESCO DataHub dataset ich001. Field-level provenance is retained in the record metadata.

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage ListsDataset

Open original source record

Field-Level Provenance

title: UNESCO DataHub field title_en
preferredTitle: UNESCO DataHub field title_fr
summary: UNESCO DataHub field description_en
type: UNESCO DataHub fields type_of_element_en and type_acronym
countries: UNESCO DataHub field countries, ISO codes resolved with ISO-3166 regional metadata
categories: ARED category inference from UNESCO concepts_primary_names, concepts_secondary_names and title
relationships: UNESCO concepts_primary_names, concepts_secondary_names, type fields and World Heritage links
sourceUrl: UNESCO DataHub field http_url_en
rights: UNESCO DataHub dataset metadata license and license_url

Original Source Metadata

uuidff8abab4-2851-48a4-8503-1955af5e5294

ich_public_ref1577

inscription_year2020

title_enAl Aflaj, traditional irrigation network system in the UAE, oral traditions, knowledge and skills of construction, maintenance and equitable water distribution

title_frAl aflaj, système traditionnel d’irrigation aux EAU, traditions orales, connaissances et savoir-faire liés à sa construction, à son entretien et à la distribution équitable de l’eau

type_of_element_enRepresentative List

type_acronymRL

countriesAE

http_url_enhttps://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/01577

concepts_primary_namesCustomary law, Water supply, Wells

concepts_secondary_namesCalculus, Conflict resolution, Drinking water, Hydrological measurement, Know-how transfer, Technical skills, Traditional tools

main_image_urlhttps://ich.unesco.org/img/photo/thumb/13578-LRG.jpg

main_image_caption_enA historical Falaj (3000 years old) was discovered accidently in one of the houses by the disappearane of a palm tree that entered in one of the Falaj hotels in Al Ain city.

main_image_copyrightDepartment of Culture and Tourisme, United Arab Emirates, 2016

main_image_authorRajah Balakrishna

videoshttps://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/Q76F7WtiRN0

images[object Object], [object Object], [object Object]

Why This Record Is Credible

This public record is connected to 1 source and has been labelled Source Supported. ARED separates evidence sources from cultural authority so users can see both provenance and review limits.

Cultural Access

Use this as public discovery metadata only. It does not replace community authority or local access protocols.

Relationships

Customary law Water supply Wells Calculus Conflict resolution Drinking water Hydrological measurement Know-how transfer Technical skills Traditional tools UNESCO representative list World Heritage connection: Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases Areas)

Review and Corrections

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