Key Notes- Unit 1 Lesson 2 Understandig the Emirati Heritage.pdf

SUBJECT: Moral Education GRADE 9 Lesson 2: Understanding the Emirati Heritage Learning Objectives: Analyse the links between historical and natural environments and the necessity of preserving them...

SUBJECT: Moral Education GRADE 9 Lesson 2: Understanding the Emirati Heritage Learning Objectives: Analyse the links between historical and natural environments and the necessity of preserving them for future generations and humanity. Describe a selected site or aspect of the intangible heritage in terms of its historical, cultural and socio-economic value. The archaeological site at Jumeirah is managed by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. When it was first excavated in 1969, ancient ruins, a mosque, coins, and glazed pottery, among other items, were unearthed. From their findings, archaeologists were able to tell which material was used in the construction of buildings (beach rock and lime plaster). Findings such as this give scientists information about how natural environment influenced life on the settlement. They discovered that the settlement was a caravan stop on the ancient trade route between Iraq and Oman. Excavation also revealed details of the animals that were native to the region (camel and goat, for example). Generally speaking, digs can reveal much about life in ancient settlements and the significance of the natural environment on their activities. Falconry in the UAE: There are many elements of intangible heritage that can feature across several different cultures. One example of this is falconry. In 2010, falconry was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Falconry is culturally significant in many parts of the world, including the United Arab Emirates, Hungary, Italy, Pakistan and Spain to name but a few. The following text is written by UNESCO and it makes an argument for why the sport of falconry is considered culturally significant. Originally a method of obtaining food, the practice of falconry has evolved over time to be more associated with nature conservation, cultural heritage and social engagement within and amongst communities. Following their own set of traditions and ethical principles, falconers train, fly and breed birds of prey which, besides falcons, include species such as eagles and hawks. Trainers develop a bond with their birds and become their main source of protection. The practice, present in many countries around the world, may vary regarding certain aspects, for example the type of equipment used, but the methods remain similar. Falconers regard themselves as a group and they can travel weeks at a time engaging in the practice, while in the evenings recounting stories of the day together. They consider falconry as providing a connection to the past, particularly for communities where the practice is one of their few remaining links with their natural environment and traditional culture. Knowledge and skills are transmitted in an intergenerational manner within families by formal mentoring, apprenticeship or training in clubs and schools. In some countries, a national examination must be passed in order to become a falconer. Field meets and festivals provide opportunities for communities to share knowledge, raise awareness and promote diversity. Emirati Architecture: The traditional architecture of the UAE can be described as vernacular which means it was designed based on local needs, availability of construction materials and reflecting local traditions and customs. A harsh environment and limited resources were the starting point. Easily portable camel or goat-hair tents provided shelter during tribal wanderings over the winter. During the summers spent in date palm plantations, home was the airy ‘arish woven from palm fronds. Arish were also common in the coastal fishing, pearling and trading settlements. Other materials used for coastal dwellings include fossilised coral or a lime mixture derived from seashells. Inland, more permanent houses were built of stone guss (mud mixture made into blocks) then roofed with palm fronds. All of these materials have very low thermal conductivity and so were ideal for the hot and arid climate. Privacy and ventilation were important considerations in the layout of domestic dwellings. All the rooms opened onto a central interior courtyard that was private. This was used for cooking as well as eating and sleeping in the hot summer months. The majlis or meeting rooms, where the male members of the family entertained male guests, were separate from the family quarters. Wind towers called barjeels were also used to improve ventilation in the home. These barjeels date back to 3100 BC and acted as a ventilation system by allowing hot air to rise and escape while cooler winds flow down into the home. These can still be seen all over the Middle East today. Decorative detail was confined to colourful floor rugs, intricate wooden lattice work on windows and ornate wooden outer doors. Economic prosperity and the significant increase in population that followed the discovery and export of oil in the 1960s had a huge socio-economic and cultural impact including an immediate and urgent demand for public buildings and private housing. Modern designs and building materials rapidly replaced vernacular architecture. During this time the first of many sleek glass-fronted skyscrapers were built and the process of urbanisation and modernisation that continues today began. The UAE creeks: The main cities of the UAE are favoured with creeks (khors), which are deep saltwater inlets that run from the sea into the city. The creeks of UAE coastal cities served as the basis for the fishing and pearling industries that defined the local economy until modern times. The most famous of these is Dubai Creek (Khor Dubai), which in ancient times extended all the way to the city of al-Ain. The creek divides the city into its two older sections: Deira and Bur Dubai (the place where a branch of the Bani Yas tribe, migrating from Abu Dhabi, settled in 1833, to become later the Al Maktoum dynasty, the ruling family of Dubai).  Dredging in the 1950s was critical to the emergence of Dubai as a major modern port and trade center (Sharjah’s creek silted up at about the same time and became a backwater). The creek served as a waterway and sheltered port for trade, fishing, pearling, and piracy, helping Dubai to grow into a major shipping and commercial centre. The distinctive local sailboats, known as dhows, crisscrossed the waters of the Gulf, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean all the way to India and the east African coast, carrying goods and merchandise back and forth. After the collapse of pearling and with the increased strategic importance of the country, the creek was transformed into a modern waterway. This was inaugurated in 1955 by construction and dredging projects to widen and deepen the creek to accommodate larger sea-going vessels and to build breakwaters and docks to facilitate the loading and unloading of ships. Several bridges over the creek now connect the two parts of Dubai, the first of which, Al Maktoum Bridge, was built in 1963. Another important creek in the UAE is located in the country’s most scenic part along the Gulf of Oman on the east coast. The picturesque Khor Fakkan creek which means ‘Creek of Two Jaws’, is one of the major container ports in the Emirates and the only natural deep-sea port in the region. It has a long history which goes back to 3000 BC. The Jebel Hafeet tombs: At 1,240 metres, Jebel Hafeet Mountain to the south of Al Ain in Abu Dhabi is the emirate’s highest peak, and UAE’s second. It is also the place considered to be the birthplace of the Bronze Age in the UAE. At the foot of this mountain there are 500 dome-shaped ancient tombs which date back to a period between 3200 BC and 2700 BC also known as the Hafeet period. Very few knew of their existence until recently since they were almost impossible to reach, even in a 4x4 vehicle. The sites were first discovered in the 1950s by Sheikh Zayed. A team of Danish archaeologists began excavations on the Hafeet tombs in 1959. They discovered evidence of ceramic vessels and copper artefacts which indicate the importance of maritime trade across the Arabian Gulf. Some skeletal remains have also been discovered and it is believed that up to 10 bodies were often buried together in family groups, as they were in other parts of the Middle East and Europe. To date the majority of tombs, remain unexcavated. The tombs are single-chamber and were made of local unworked or roughly cut stones. They were built on the northern and eastern foothills mountain. However, most of the graves on the northern side have now been lost to development. Those on the eastern side are protected and regularly monitored. The entrance of each tomb faces south-east, to catch the sunrise. The 5,000-year-old Jebel Hafeet tombs along with Al Ain Oasis were designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Work on the designation of Al Ain as a World Heritage Site began as far back as 2003. A file on the site was submitted to UNESCO in 2008 and three years later the World Heritage committee included it on the prestigious list that includes Egypt’s pyramids and India’s Taj Mahal. The director of the department of historical environment at the Abu Dhabi Department of Tourism and Culture has described how the recognition from UNESCO helps his team to “do an even better job of preserving them and saving them from any threats of development”.