The Soul of the Middle East & South Asia

A Curated Digital Encyclopedia

Archives

The Met Collection

Explore the Archives
Lustreware Bowl with Calligraphy

Islamic Art Department

Lustreware Bowl with Calligraphy

Pectoral of Tutankhamun

Egyptian Art

Pectoral of Tutankhamun

Standing Bodhisattva

Asian Art

Standing Bodhisattva

Mughal Garden Miniature

South Asian Art

Mughal Garden Miniature

Living Traditions

UNESCO Intangible Heritage

Craftsmanship and performance art of the Tar, a long-necked string musical instrument
Representative List

Craftsmanship and performance art of the Tar, a long-necked string musical instrument

The Tar is a long-necked plucked lute, traditionally crafted and performed in communities throughout Azerbaijan. Considered by many to be the…

Explore
Alardah Alnajdiyah, dance, drumming and poetry in Saudi Arabia
Representative List

Alardah Alnajdiyah, dance, drumming and poetry in Saudi Arabia

Alardah is a traditional performance combining dance, drumming and chanting poetry that signifies the start and end of notable occasions, such as…

Explore
Âşıklık (minstrelsy) tradition
Representative List

Âşıklık (minstrelsy) tradition

The Âşıklık (minstrelsy) tradition of Turkey is performed by wandering poet-singers known as ''âşıks.'' Dressed in traditional clothes and plucking a…

Explore
Red Fort Complex
Archaeological Wonders

Ancient Cities of the Silk Road

Discover the architectural majesty of ancient cities that once stood as the beating hearts of global trade, science, and art.

Red Fort Complex, India

Inscribed 2007

Fatehpur Sikri, India

Inscribed 1986

Itchan Kala, Uzbekistan

Inscribed 1990

Curated Taxonomies

Period

Period

Antiquity to Modernity

Medium

Medium

Silk, Stone, & Clay

Culture

Culture

A Tapestry of Peoples

Journal

From the Blog

All articles
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List 2021: All 43 Inscriptions from the 16th Session
Blog

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List 2021: All 43 Inscriptions from the…

UNESCO's 2021 ICH session (16.COM) inscribed 39 elements including Durga Puja, Gamelan, Arabic calligraphy, Joumou…

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Thailand: All 6 Inscriptions from Khon to Tom Yum Kung
Blog

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Thailand: All 6 Inscriptions from Khon…

Thailand has 6 UNESCO ICH inscriptions as of 2025 — from Khon masked dance drama (2018, File 01385) to Tomyum Kung and…

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mexico: All 13 Inscriptions from Day of the Dead to Bolero
Blog

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mexico: All 13 Inscriptions from Day of…

Mexico has 13 UNESCO ICH inscriptions as of 2025 — from Día de Muertos (2008, File 00054) to the Iztapalapa Passion…

Garba Dance UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: 2023 Inscription, Navratri, and the Womb Dance of Gujarat
Blog

Garba Dance UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: 2023 Inscription, Navratri…

Garba of Gujarat was inscribed on UNESCO's ICH list on December 6, 2023 (File 01962, 18.COM Kasane). India's 15th ICH…

Kumbh Mela UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: 2017 Inscription, Four Sacred Sites, and the Largest Pilgrimage on Earth
Blog

Kumbh Mela UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: 2017 Inscription, Four Sacred…

The Kumbh Mela was inscribed on UNESCO's ICH list in December 2017 (File 01258, 12.COM Jeju). The world's largest…

Fado UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: 2011 Inscription, Portuguese Guitar, and Saudade
Blog

Fado UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: 2011 Inscription, Portuguese Guitar…

Fado was inscribed on UNESCO's ICH Representative List on November 27, 2011 (File 00563, 6.COM Bali). Portugal sole…