From henna to the warrior dances of the High Atlas, Arabic calligraphy and the flavours of couscous, Morocco boasts an exceptional cultural wealth, recognised and protected by UNESCO. Fifteen artistic, craft and culinary traditions bear witness to ancestral know-how and a plural identity that the Kingdom is committed to preserving and passing on.
Henna, a symbol of celebration and transmission
Listed in 2024, henna is much more than just a dye plant. In Morocco, it embodies joy, beauty and community unity. Applied to the hair or hands during weddings, births or religious festivals, it is accompanied by songs, poems and gestures passed down from generation to generation.
Malhoun, sung and popular poetry
Listed in 2023, Malhoun combines poetry in Arabic dialect, music and theatre. Its texts, sometimes in Hebrew, celebrate love, nature, faith and gastronomy. Once passed down orally by poets and musicians, it continues to resonate today on Moroccan stages and at festivals.
Engraving on precious metals
Also inscribed in 2023, this craft practice transforms gold, silver and copper into jewellery and decorative objects adorned with geometric or religious motifs. Given as gifts on special occasions or imbued with symbolic and medicinal value, these pieces perpetuate a skill learned in family workshops and specialised schools.
The date palm, pillar of the oasis
Recognised by UNESCO since 2022, the date palm is a true source of life in arid areas. Providing food, craftsmanship, shade and poetic inspiration, it occupies a central place in the social and economic traditions of oasis regions.
Tbourida, the warrior’s ride
A spectacular equestrian show, tbourida — inscribed in 2021 — perpetuates the traditional Arab-Amazigh military parades. Horsemen and horsewomen, dressed in period costumes, perform synchronised charges and shots, combining sporting performance, tribal heritage and spiritual dimension.
Falconry, a thousand-year-old heritage
Practised for over 4,000 years, Moroccan falconry, listed by UNESCO in 2021, combines the art of hunting, leisure and wildlife conservation. It brings communities together around shared values and an intimate connection with nature.
Arabic calligraphy, the elegance of letters
Since 2021, UNESCO has recognised Arabic calligraphy as a major art form. From traditional reed pens to contemporary calligraffiti, it transforms letters into harmonious compositions, engraved on paper, stone, wood or metal.
Couscous, a symbol of conviviality
Listed in 2020, couscous is more than just a food: it is a collective ritual. From wheat cultivation to steaming, each step illustrates a skill that is passed on and shared during festive meals.
Gnaoua culture, music and trance
Inscribed in 2019, the Gnaoua tradition combines Sufi music, therapeutic rituals and African, Arab and Berber influences. Festivals and associations work to preserve this culture, which is both sacred and convivial.
Taskiwin, martial dance of the High Atlas
Listed in 2017 as in need of urgent safeguarding, Taskiwin combines shoulder movements, traditional instruments and decorated horns. Threatened by a lack of interest among young people, this warrior dance from the High Atlas is being revived thanks to the commitment of local Moroccan associations.
Argan, Morocco’s green gold
Since 2014, UNESCO has been protecting the skills associated with the argan tree. From harvesting the fruit to pressing it, these ancestral techniques, passed down mainly by rural women, contribute to the preservation of a unique ecosystem.
The Mediterranean diet, a way of life
Listed in 2013, the Mediterranean diet is based on hospitality, respect for the seasons, sharing meals and promoting traditional markets and festivals, going far beyond simply healthy eating.
The Sefrou Cherry Festival
Recognised by UNESCO in 2012, this three-day popular festival (held in June) celebrates cherries and local traditions. The election of the Queen, parades, fantasia and crafts enliven the city of Sefrou and reinforce its identity.
Jemaa el-Fna, the beating heart of Marrakech
Proclaimed intangible heritage in 2001 and inscribed in 2008, Marrakech’s famous square is an open-air theatre: storytellers, musicians, snake charmers, street food… Threatened by urbanisation, Jemaa el-Fna remains a cultural hotspot.
The Moussem of Tan-Tan, a gathering place for nomads
Also inscribed in 2008, this gathering of Sahrawi tribes combines trade, equestrian competitions, weddings and folk arts. After a long hiatus, the Moussem of Tan-Tan has regained its vitality and plays an essential role in the transmission of Bedouin traditions.
Moroccan culinary heritage at the heart of a global project
Of the 15 Moroccan traditions inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, five are related to cuisine: the Mediterranean diet, couscous, the Sefrou Cherry Festival, argan tree-related skills and the Jemaa el-Fna market.
Building on this heritage, Morocco is participating in the pilot phase of the International Atlas of Culinary Heritage, accompanied by a digital platform designed to safeguard and transmit food practices. This project, led by UNESCO in partnership with the Ministries of Culture of Morocco and Saudi Arabia, aims to identify and promote culinary traditions from around the world, incorporating agricultural know-how, preparation techniques and cultural narratives.
To enrich its contribution, on 21 April 2025, the Kingdom launched a national consultation involving experts, heritage stakeholders, representatives of the agricultural world and gastronomy professionals. This initiative responds to UNESCO’s call, which considers food to be a ‘living heritage’ threatened by climate change, globalisation and the erosion of intergenerational transmission.
The interactive platform currently in development will bring together recipes, ancestral practices, stories and best practices in order to preserve and share the world’s gastronomic diversity. Moroccan cuisine will feature prominently. An initial presentation is expected by 31 December 2026, before the Atlas is fully online at the end of 2027.
