Al Naqda (both the technique and the special needle used to perform it); khoos (the thin strands of silver or gold metal pulled through the fabric)
A traditional form of hand embroidery on women's attire, formally documented as its own distinct craft domain within Bahrain's official UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage inventory, genuinely technically distinct from the archive's already-documented Kurar embroidery record (CRAFT-2734). Where Kurar is a structured, team-based craft performed by a qataba lead and three dawakheel assistants weaving and intertwining gold zari thread, Naqda is performed with a single specialized needle -- itself also called Al Naqda -- used by an individual embroiderer to pull thin strands of silver or gold metal, known as khoos, directly through the fabric to create meticulous, intricate patterns and designs. The term Naqda is derived directly from the Arabic word for silver measurement, reflecting the craft's historical grounding in precise metal-thread work. Embroidery generally holds deep-rooted significance in Bahraini heritage as an important decoration for both homes and clothing, with Al Naqda specifically originating from the practice of hand-embroidering women's attire. The craft is formally sustained through the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities' 'Made in Bahrain' project, which specifically integrates trained Naqda embroiderers into the country's local industries market, and through dedicated beginner-friendly workshops at the Al Jasra Handicrafts Centre, part of a broader Saturday training program specifically teaching Naqda's traditional art and design techniques to new practitioners.
Risk level: Endangered · Formally documented within Bahrain's own official UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage inventory submission under the distinct craft domain Naqda
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