ALECSO Chair for Valorizing Joint Arab and International Work in the Field of Safeguarding Intangible Heritage
Documentary Film Project on
Zaghareet Across the Arab World
A comprehensive documentation of Zaghareet (ululation) as a shared intangible cultural heritage element transcending borders — from the Atlantic to the Gulf — and nomination to UNESCO’s Representative List of World Heritage
About the Project
Zaghareet (ululation) is one of the deepest oral cultural expressions in the Arab world, expressing joy, celebration, and social solidarity at weddings, holidays, and victories. Despite its widespread presence from Morocco to Iraq, its scientific documentation remains scarce.
This project aims to produce a comprehensive documentary film gathering Zaghareet patterns from various Arab countries, highlighting Arab cultural unity through this shared sonic heritage, in preparation for submitting a UNESCO nomination file.
Project Figures
Geographic Coverage — From the Atlantic to the Gulf
The film documents Zaghareet patterns across Arab countries, highlighting diversity within unity
Libya
Libyan Zaghareet at weddings & national occasions
Morocco
Moroccan Youyou in Amazigh & Arab celebrations
Algeria
Algerian Zaghareet and their regional diversity
Tunisia
Tunisian Zaghareet at circumcision & wedding occasions
Egypt
Egyptian Zaghareet and their connection to folk music
Syria
Levantine Zaghareet and rural wedding traditions
Palestine
Palestinian Zaghareet as expression of resilience & identity
And More…
Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan & Gulf States
Strategic Objectives
Comprehensive Scientific Documentation
Collecting and documenting different Zaghareet patterns across Arab countries, with scientific acoustic and musical analysis of each pattern, and classifying patterns by occasion and geographic region
Highlighting Arab Cultural Unity
Presenting Zaghareet as a model of shared heritage that unites Arab peoples despite regional diversity, highlighting deep cultural bonds that transcend political borders
UNESCO Nomination for the Representative List
Preparing a joint Arab nomination file to include Zaghareet in UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, in coordination with Arab countries and national commissions
UNESCO Nomination Pathway
ALECSO Chair seeks to achieve a historic goal: including Arab Zaghareet in UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage as the first joint multi-country Arab nomination in this field
Field Documentation
Field filming in 15+ Arab countries and collecting testimonies from artisans and communities
Nomination File Preparation
Preparing the file according to UNESCO international standards in coordination with Arab national commissions
Listing Achievement
Listing Zaghareet in the Representative List of World Heritage as a joint Arab achievement
Support the Documentation of Arab Zaghareet
Your donations fund the field documentation journey across the Arab world, documentary production, and UNESCO nomination file preparation. Contribute to preserving this beautiful sonic heritage for future generations.
✅ ALECSO Chair is 501(c)(3) tax-exempt · EIN: 93-2394267 · Donations are fully tax-deductible