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The Diwaniya is a traditional social gathering space in Kuwait where people meet to talk, exchange ideas, welcome guests, and discuss community matters.
A Diwaniya can be located in a home, public space, or even a tent. Younger people learn the customs by observing how elders greet guests, arrange seating, and conduct conversations.
Topics can range from family concerns to current events and community issues.
Some Diwaniyas are informal, while others are associated with particular professions or groups. Women have increasingly established their own Diwaniyas as spaces for discussion and leadership.
UNESCO recognized the Diwaniya as intangible cultural heritage in 2025.
© UNESCO