The photo shows Al-Aragoz talking to the beggar in a scene taken from the show of the Beggar. The performer here is Saber Al-Masri. © Nabil Bahgat, Egypt, 2010

Egypt—Traditional Hand Puppetry—, Al-Aragoz, an old form of Egyptian theatre using traditional hand puppetry, takes its name from the main puppet, whose distinctive voice is produced with the help of a vocal modifier. Perfomances, involving interaction with the audiences, offer comical entertainment drawing on a variety of themes from everyday life. Al-Aragoz is threatened by the changing social, political, legal and cultural circumstances of its enactment, however, and regular performances now rely on fewer than ten active practitioners, all of an advanced age.

© Danson Siminyu, Kenya, 2010

Kenya—Enkipaata, Eunoto and Olng’esherr, three male rites of passage of the Maasai community— Enkipaata, Eunoto and Olng’esherr are three interrelated male rites of passage of the Maasai community serving to educate young boys about a man’s role in society, transmit indigenous knowledge to the younger generation and induct them into moranhood, then into the category of young elders, and finally into senior elder status. The viability of the practice is threatened by changes in lifestyle relating to the Maasai community’s transition from a pastoral to an agricultural economy and the decline in informal modes of transmission.

© Atef Amjad (Trust for History, Art and Architecture [THAAP] - UCA research team), 2016

Pakistan—Suri Jagek (observing the sun), traditional meteorological and astronomical practice based on the observation of the sun, moon and stars in reference to the local topography—Suri Jagek is the traditional Kalasha meteorological and astronomical knowledge system based on the observation of the sun, moon, stars and shadows with respect to local topography. It is used to gauge the appropriate time for sowing seeds and predict natural calamities, as well as in animal husbandry. Suri Jagek is also the basis of the Kalasha calendar. The practice persists as an oral tradition but is declining due to the advent of digital instruments and lack of awareness of its cultural significance and benefits.

© Syria Trust for Development, 2016

Syrian Arab Republic--Shadow play—Shadow play is a traditional art practiced with handmade puppets that act out a script with musical accompaniment behind a thin translucent curtain or screen. Shadow plays offer humorous social criticism, through satirical narratives involving two main characters. Performances are traditionally held in popular cafes where people gather to watch stories about everyday life. However, due to several factors including modern technology and mass displacements caused by the war, the prevalence of Shadow Play has declined drastically over the years.