Damascus, Sep. 25 (SANA)– From rainy seasons and grazing grounds, and the routes linking pastures with water sources, to poetry preserved through oral tradition and textiles reflecting weaving skills passed down through generations of women, the Syrian steppe forms part of the rich mosaic of Syria’s cultural heritage. It embodies a wealth of knowledge, customs, values and practices shaped by life in the desert and passed from one generation to another.
This heritage has attracted growing international attention as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) marked the International Day of Bedouin Heritage for the first time on September 22, following its adoption by the UNESCO General Conference in 2025.
The occasion highlights the heritage of Bedouin communities and the knowledge they have accumulated over centuries concerning the environment, seasons, water and livelihoods, while calling for its preservation, documentation and transmission to future generations.
Why September 22?
September 22 was chosen because of its proximity to the autumnal equinox, an important point in the seasonal cycle and changing weather patterns, particularly for communities whose lives have long been shaped by migration and grazing seasons. According to UNESCO, nomadic Bedouin communities have, over centuries, helped connect communities and foster the exchange of ideas, languages and cultural traditions.
In a statement published on its official Facebook page on September 23 to mark the International Day of Bedouin Heritage, UNESCO highlighted the traditional knowledge preserved by Bedouin communities about seasons, pastures, water, animals and ecosystems. It also underscored the role of women in preserving and transmitting this knowledge across generations, stressing the importance of safeguarding this heritage as a means of protecting biodiversity, strengthening resilience to climate change and supporting sustainable livelihoods.
In Syria… A Call to Revive Bedouin Heritage
In this context, Hussein al-Hakim, General Supervisor of the Center for Arab Tribal Studies, welcomed the international observance of Bedouin heritage for the first time, describing it as an opportunity to shed light on Syria’s own heritage.
“The settlement of many Bedouin communities coincided with the neglect of their heritage, particularly as the policies of the ousted regime marginalized the people of the steppe and distanced them from cultural life,” he told SANA.
Al-Hakim explained that Bedouin life is no longer limited to migration in search of water and pasture, as groups from these communities have settled in cities and rural areas while retaining aspects of their heritage, including poetry, traditions of hospitality, respect for neighbors and helping those in need.
He called for the establishment of an association dedicated to preserving Syrian Bedouin heritage and for greater opportunities for Bedouin poets to participate in cultural events.
Syrian steppe heritage between continuity and change
In the Syrian steppe, pastoralism and migration have long been closely linked to knowledge of grazing seasons and water sources. This way of life has also left its mark on traditional crafts, including the weaving of rugs, mats and bands.
Researcher Estibaliz Sinera Erashita noted in an article published by the Syrian Heritage Archive, a project involving the Museum of Islamic Art in Berlin and the German Archaeological Institute, that women in Bedouin communities used looms to produce belts and bands, while some Bedouin groups relied on portable looms to weave rugs suited to their mobile way of life.
In this regard, the Directorate of Intangible Heritage at the Ministry of Culture continues its efforts to document and preserve elements of Syria’s intangible cultural heritage, including heritage associated with the steppe. Its work encompasses recording traditional customs, traditions, poetry, crafts and inherited knowledge, while introducing them to younger generations to help ensure their continuity and transmission.
Orally transmitted Bedouin poetry preserves part of the experiences and collective memory of steppe communities, while traditional textiles convey skills developed through the use of locally available materials.
Documenting poetry, crafts and knowledge associated with pastoral life, with the participation of the communities that practice and preserve them, provides an opportunity to understand Syrian Bedouin heritage as it has been lived by its people and as they continue to pass it on today.
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