Brings adults and children together in an atmosphere of happiness

“El Yadad” and “Al Knaz” .. Farah Festival with “Mother Tree”

• Dates still represent an important part of hospitality and food in Emirati homes.

  archival

picture

The “Al-Ydad” and “Al-Kanaz” season are important seasons associated with the summer season in the region. Al-Kanaz in the local dialect means preserving dates after drying them in containers of different sizes, to serve as supplies during the winter period, when Emirati families used to rely on dates and milk in the past. It fills its needs of food, and it still represents an important part of hospitality and food in homes. The owners of palm farms, especially in the oases of Al Ain, which are famous for the abundance of palm trees and their diversity and their spread over large areas, are preparing for the harvest season, which is called in the local dialect “Ydad”, during which the palm crop is harvested and the trees are unloaded from their fruits loaded with dates, and prepared in preparation for their preservation.

The “Al Yadad” season represents an occasion for family members to gather and participate in unloading the palms of the fruits laden with dates, especially since the oases of Al Ain were and still are considered a favorite destination for families to get rid of the heat of the weather, given the mild weather in these oases. Then comes the “Al-Kenaz” process, through which wet dates are transformed into dates, then the dates are washed well, then spread under the sun, and placed on traditional mats of mats or high fabrics (spats) to dry them from the water and be wet, and then they are preserved ( its treasure) and rub it with the palms of the hand in different containers to be kept in the stores, and some prefer to store it in containers made of palm fronds “yerab”.

Despite the great development that life is witnessing in the Emirates, and the social transformations in society, the wet season still enjoys great importance, as it is an annual festival of joy and happiness in which adults and young people gather in farms under palm trees, and in the popular date markets that are rich in fruits of goodness and blessing. Emirati families are still keen to participate in it and introduce new generations to the rituals and social customs it includes, with the aim of promoting a spirit of cooperation and positive participation among all, and strengthening social ties between family and neighbors, as well as emphasizing the importance of the palm tree in the UAE’s heritage and culture throughout the ages, as one of the oldest Trees known to the people of the region, a legacy and a source of pride and pride since ancient times.

On the official level, a state attaches great importance to dates, an interest that is not limited to the economic aspect only, but confirms that the date palm is an integral part of the identity and heritage of the state and the region as a whole, and is keen to celebrate this heritage, through various activities and initiatives, most notably the registration of the palm file on the list The Representative of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of "UNESCO", in December 2019, within the framework of the UAE's keenness to preserve and promote the country's heritage through UNESCO, the first sponsor of culture and common human heritage.

wet and honey

The UAE witnesses annual festivals to celebrate the palm or “mother tree” and its fruits, most notably the Liwa Date Festival, which is held in the Al Dhafra region in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

The 16th edition of the festival, which was held last year, witnessed an increase in the value of prizes and an increase in the categories of dates and fruits competitions witnessed by the festival, based on the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, bringing the value of the prizes to more than eight Millions and 200 thousand dirhams.

The country is also witnessing the organization of the Liwa Ajman Dates and Honey Festival, which is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman.

“Al-Kenaz” in the local dialect means preserving dates after drying them, as winter supplies.

The wet season is of great importance despite the great development witnessed by life in the Emirates.

Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news