AlMudhif is a large arched building made of reed and papyrus both of which grow naturally in the marshes of southern Iraq The building serves as a gathering place where members of the community can exchange address conflicts share experiences tell stories and practise cultural activities and social rituals such as weddings circumcisions religious ceremonies and national celebrations AlMudhif is also viewed as a space for transmitting traditional knowledge values handicraft skills norms and customs to children and youth It is a place to welcome visitors and guests from within and outside of Iraq The structures are built by skilled workers and managed by tribal sheiks but the entire community plays a part in the creation and maintenance of the space such as by collecting the reeds and weaving the mats and rugs that are used as mattresses inside the building The traditional customs and handicraft skills related to constructing AlMudhif are transmitted informally through handson practice and participation in cultural activities The practice is also transmitted through stories and legends as well as through publications and the media Moreover some NGOs organise workshops and activities in AlMudhif to raise awareness about their significance among the communities concerned

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

Typically found in deserts and dry temperate climates the date palm is an evergreen plant with roots that deeply penetrate the earth in search of humidity Date palms grow in oases in desert areas with suitable water levels for irrigation For centuries many populations have been associated with the date palm tree which has aided them in the construction of their civilizations in arid regions The ancient historical relationship between the Arab region and date palms has enabled a rich cultural heritage that has been passed on through generations Today the communities groups and individuals in the areas where the date palm has spread still maintain the related practices knowledge and skills These include caring for and cultivating the date palm tree and using its parts leaves fronds and fibres for traditional crafts and social rituals The date palm is also referenced in poetry and songs among others It has been associated with the region for centuries constituting a key source of nutrition in addition to the associated crafts professions and traditions Due to its longstanding significance the date palm is widely supported by local communities and various government agencies leading to a noticeable expansion of its cultivation and increasing regional manufacturing workforces

Arabic calligraphy is the artistic practice of handwriting Arabic script in a fluid manner to convey harmony grace and beauty The practice which can be passed down through formal and informal education uses the twentyeight letters of the Arabic alphabet written in cursive from right to left Originally intended to make writing clear and legible it gradually became an Islamic Arab art for traditional and modern works The fluidity of Arabic script offers infinite possibilities even within a single word as letters can be stretched and transformed in numerous ways to create different motifs Traditional techniques use natural materials such as reeds and bamboo stems for the qalam or writing instrument A mixture of honey black soot and saffron is used for the ink and the paper is handmade and treated with starch egg white and alum Modern calligraphy commonly uses markers and synthetic paint and spray paint is used for calligraffiti on walls signs and buildings Artisans and designers also use Arabic calligraphy for artistic enhancement such as for marble and wood carving embroidery and metal etching Arabic calligraphy is widespread in Arab and nonArab countries and is practised by men and women of all ages Skills are transmitted informally or through formal schools or apprenticeships

Alnaoor is a wooden wheel that rotates on its axis It is used on the streams of the Euphrates River in Iraq where water levels are lower than the adjacent fields In order to raise the river water to the fields the communities devised the alnaoor wheel The wheel is made of twentyfour columns of wooden sticks and twentyfour clay jugs attached to the outer circumference with palm leaf ropes Ranging between eight and twelve metres in diameter the wheel is installed vertically between two stone pedestals on the streams of the river As the current causes the wheel to rotate the jugs collect the water from the river carry the water to the top of the wheel and pour it into the waterways leading to the fields The day of the alnaoor mounting is marked by celebrations including traditional poetry performances singing and dancing More recently the energy produced by the alnaoor wheel has also been used to generate electricity and to operate the water mills used to grind grain for flour Alnaoor is a source of livelihood for many including the artisan carpenters pottery makers and builders involved in its construction

Provision of services and hospitality during the Arbain visitation is a social practice performed across the central and southern regions of Iraq from where processions of visitors and pilgrims converge towards the Holy City of Karbala The tradition a social practice with deep roots in the Iraqi and Arab tradition of hospitality is an immense display of charity through volunteering and social mobilization and considered to be a defining element of Iraqs cultural identity Every year around the 20th of the Islamic month of Safar the Iraqi province of Karbala receives millions of visitors in one of the worlds most populous religious pilgrimages Hailing from different regions in Iraq and abroad visitors walk to the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussein A vast number of people contribute their time and resources to providing the pilgrims with free services along the route Starting at least two weeks before the date of Arbain associations set up temporary facilities or reopen more permanent ones along the pilgrimage routes including prayer halls guest houses and stands offering various services Many people also open their houses for free overnight accommodation Bearers and practitioners include cooks families offering hospitality the administration of the two Holy Shrines in Karbala volunteer guides volunteer medical teams and benefactors contributing generous donations

New Year is often a time when people wish for prosperity and new beginnings March 21 marks the start of the year in Afghanistan Azerbaijan India Iran Islamic Republic of Iraq Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Pakistan Tajikistan Turkey Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan It is referred to as Nauryz Navruz Nawrouz Nevruz Nooruz Novruz Nowrouz or Nowruz meaning new day when a variety of rituals ceremonies and other cultural events take place for a period of about two weeks An important tradition practised during this time is the gathering around the Table decorated with objects that symbolize purity brightness livelihood and wealth to enjoy a special meal with loved ones New clothes are worn and visits made to relatives particularly the elderly and neighbours Gifts are exchanged especially for children featuring objects made by artisans There are also street performances of music and dance public rituals involving water and fire traditional sports and the making of handicrafts These practices support cultural diversity and tolerance and contribute to building community solidarity and peace They are transmitted from older to younger generations through observation and participation

Every year in February communities in Iraq honour Alkhidr a holy figure who according to ancient beliefs grants worshippers their wishes particularly those in need In northern Iraq during the last three days of the month families gather on a hill where the sanctuary of Alkhidr is thought to be Dressed in traditional clothes they enjoy specially prepared dishes and perform a popular dance called the dabkka In the centre of Iraq community members join on the bank of Tigris which they believe is the sanctuary of Alkhidr They deliver sugar salt henna sweets and myrtle leaves and at night send lit candles on wood along the river making vows for their wishes to be granted If the candles go out before reaching the other side the wishes are said to come true In the south of Iraq myrtle leaves are also brought but only one candle lit If the candle goes out before reaching the other side believers are encouraged to give to the poor on a Friday so their wishes are met Younger generations learn about the practice from older family members and at school Shared identification with the tradition has helped to build social cohesion within communities

Widely recognized as Iraqs predominant classical music tradition the Maqam encompasses a vast repertory of songs accompanied by traditional instruments Moreover this popular genre provides a wealth of information on the musical history of the region and the Arab influences that have held sway over the centuries The Iraqi Maqam is closely linked in structure and instrumentation to the family of traditional musical forms practiced in Iran Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan The Iraqi Maqam embraces numerous genres and primary melodic modes It features improvisational vocal segments that sometimes use metric accompaniment and often lead to a medley of strophic songs The skilful improvisation of the lead vocalist qari creates an intricate interplay with the orchestra tshalghi that provides accompaniment throughout the performance Typical instruments include the board cither santur a fourstring spike fiddle jawzah a lowpitched handdrum dumbak and a small tambourine daff Maqam performances generally take place at private gatherings and in coffeehouses and theatres With a repertory rooted in classical and colloquial Arabic poetry the Maqam is highly revered by musicians and scholars but also by the Iraqi population at large While many Arab musical styles in the region have either disappeared or become westernized the Iraqi Maqam has remained largely intact in particular retaining its ornate vocal technique and improvisational character Due to the current political situation Maqam concerts are less frequently held in front of large audiences and more often limited to performances in private settings However the numerous live concerts and recordings of Iraqi Maqam abroad bear witness to its continuing success and popularity