The Soul of the Middle East & South Asia

A Curated Digital Encyclopedia

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The Met Collection

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Living Traditions

UNESCO Intangible Heritage

Henna: rituals, aesthetic and social practices
Representative List

Henna: rituals, aesthetic and social practices

Henna is a deciduous tree that grows in hot regions. Perceived as sacred by communities in Northern Africa and the Middle East, its leaves are…

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Art of crafting and playing with Kamantcheh/Kamancha, a bowed string musical instrument
Representative List

Art of crafting and playing with Kamantcheh/Kamancha, a bowed string musical instrument

The art of crafting and playing with Kamantcheh/Kamancha (‘little bow’), a bowed string instrument, has existed for over 1,000 years. In the Islamic…

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Yaldā/Chella
Representative List

Yaldā/Chella

Yaldā/Chella refers to a traditional celebration of the sun and the warmth of life. Practiced in Iran and Afghanistan, the event takes place on the…

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Tchogha Zanbil
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.

Curated Taxonomies

Period

Period

Antiquity to Modernity

Medium

Medium

Silk, Stone, & Clay

Culture

Culture

A Tapestry of Peoples

Journal

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