Palestinian Traditional Koffiyeh Is On The UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List

The creation of Palestinian ffiyeh in Hirbawi Factory, Hebron. (Wikimedia Commons/TrickyH)

JAKARTA - The Palestinian Authority made history by successfully registering the country's traditional ffiyeh into the Organization's Intangible Heritage List of Islamic World Education, Science and Culture Organizations (UNESCO) last month.

Palestinian Culture Minister Imad Hamdan highlighted the importance of Palestinian ffiyeh, asserting that it has become a strong symbol of the Palestinian national identity, which realizes dignity and resilience.

"Keffiyeh tells the story of the deep relationship between Palestinians and their land and their ongoing struggle," he said, quoted from WAFA December 8.

Minister Hamdan further explained that the ministry is committed to preserving Palestinian cultural heritage, by noting that the inclusion of ffiyeh in the ICESCO list is a great national achievement in preserving this cultural heritage.

The statement describes keffiyeh as a symbol of the national identity of the Palestinian people and the eternal struggle, noting that keffiyeh has become a key element in shaping how Palestinians are seen in the collective awareness of the free world.

Quoted from the UNESCO website, the UN agency convention in 2003 emphasized the need to maintain cultural expressions for future generations.

Intangible cultural heritage includes the practices, knowledge, and expressions recognized by the public as part of their cultural identity, along with related objects and spaces.

This legacy is passed down from generation to generation, and adapts over time, strengthening identity and respect for cultural diversity.