Intangible Cultural Heritage
Arts, skills and practices associated with engraving on metals (gold, silver and copper)
Engraving on metals such as gold silver and copper is a centuriesold practice that entails manually cutting words symbols or patterns into the surfaces of decorative utilitarian religious or ceremonial objects The craftsperson uses different tools to manually cut symbols names Quran verses prayers and geometric patterns into the objects Engravings can be concave recessed or convex elevated or the result of a combination of different types of metals such as gold and silver Their social and symbolic meanings and functions vary according to the communities concerned Engraved objects such as jewelry or household objects are often presented as traditional gifts for weddings or used in religious rituals and alternative medicine For instance certain types of metals are believed to have healing properties Engraving on metals is transmitted within families through observation and handson practice It is also transmitted through workshops organized by training centres organizations and universities among others Publications cultural events and social media further contribute to the transmission of the related knowledge and skills Practised by people of all ages and genders metal engraving and the use of engraved objects are means of expressing the cultural religious and geographical identity and the socioeconomic status of the communities concerned
Yemen, Algeria, Morocco, Sudan, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, State of Palestine, Mauritania -