DID you know, as one of the world’s leading producers of dates, the UAE is home to more than 40 million date palm trees of 120 different varieties? The date palm symbolises success and triumph, resilience and more.
Date palms adorn most places in the UAE and are so ‘commonplace’ that most of us practically ignore their existence as they blend into the landscaping. Dates in all forms and packaging can be found in malls, supermarkets, souks, duty-free shops at airports and hotels. It’s so commonplace that we overlook their significance. Supermarkets now carry a range of date derived products that I find a great alternative to sugar, artificial sweeteners and syrups, etc. The level of chemicals, processing, carbohydrates etc. are simply not present in date-derived products.
Vitamins & minerals
This ‘superfood’ presents an array of vital vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. With nearly 7 grammes of fibre per 3.5 ounce serving (an average of four dates), keeps blood sugar levels from spiking, and gut health in check. Most important, it’s all natural, no chemicals! In the culinary realm, syrup extracted from the tree trunk and coffee derived from ground seeds are gaining popularity. The seeds, themselves, have also contributed to the creation of soap and kohl (kajal) Very much like the versatile coconut palm in India that’s closely tied to traditional handicrafts, every part of the fruit, tree etc. every part of the date palm is used. Labelled the ‘Tree of Life’” by the Founding Father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, laid the groundwork for various date palm crafts in the UAE. Most notable is Khoos, an ancient craft. This art form involves the skilful weaving or braiding of date palm fronds to create diverse objects. Applying exclusively natural material with a commitment to utilising each part of the tree, artisans in the UAE have demonstrated remarkable creativity in crafting objects that seamlessly integrate respect for nature.
Traditional craftsmanship
The dried fronds, known as arish, sculpt the desert landscape, constructing houses, shelters, and windbreaks. The dried and split palm leaves metamorphose into functional art, creating floor mats and storage containers. This traditional craftsmanship is proudly displayed during events and festivals celebrating the heritage of the UAE.
The fronds are used in the construction of small fishing boats. Soaked branches, bound by ropes made from date palm stalks, create vessels suited for local waters. Desert Board, an innovative engineered wooden board crafted from upcycled palm fronds is creating authentic nature-based construction material. Recognised by Unesco and added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022, the Al Ain and Liwa oases, known as marvels of ancient hydrology, are the centre of date grove production and, are also recognised by the FAO for their importance as repositories of genetic resources, biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Liwa Date Festival
The importance and appreciation for date palms continue to thrive in the GCC, with the UAE dedicating festivals to honour both the palm and the dates. The Liwa Date Festival in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region is a vibrant celebration, highlighting the enduring cultural significance of this versatile resilient tree! In March 2016, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan, on behalf of Dubai Municipality, inaugurated the Palm Oasis Park in Al Awir area. A total of 1,240 date palms, 39 varieties together with many other trees and thousands of shrubs were planted in the park that uses solar energy as the power source for its lights.
