A session in progress at the Sharjah International Narrator Forum.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Participants in the "Bird Tales in Emirati Folklore" session, held as part of the 24th Sharjah International Narrator Forum (SINF) organised by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage (SIH), agreed that Emiratis have always granted birds their rightful place, offering care and protection.

This respect for birds has extended to Emirati literature and folklore, where the protection of birds and the creation of safe environments for them have become important principles passed down through generations in the UAE.

In his paper "Tales of Birds and Flying Mythical Creatures," Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, said: "In the UAE, birds have specific symbolism. Doves represent peace, falcons signify courage, crows are guides for burial, seagulls assure arrival at the shore, and pigeons symbolise innocence, kindness, and safety."

He then provided examples from local folklore, stressing the importance and urgency of documenting even the smallest details of heritage to protect them from extinction, stressing that this responsibility falls on everyone, not just a single individual or institution.

In his paper "The Legend of the Hoopoe in Our Folk Heritage," Dr. Rashid Al-Mazrouei, a researcher in the field of heritage, discussed the image of this unique bird in various cultures, noting its strong presence in Islamic culture, including its well-known story with Prophet Solomon in the Quran.

Dr  Al-Mazrouei also mentioned the hoopoe in local proverbs, referencing the saying "This is hoopoe hospitality," which indicates a lack of generosity in hosting.

Fatima Al Mughni, a heritage expert and Director General of the Hayyakom Foundation spoke about "The Symbolism of Birds in Emirati Folklore and Beliefs," explaining how birds symbolise love, beauty, joy, and even omens of bad news or sadness. She provided examples such as how the crow’s presence might signal the arrival of a guest, the chicken's association with greed, and the pigeon’s link to safety.

Dr. Badea Al-Hashimi, in her paper "Birds in Emirati Folk Tales," pointed out that the choice of birds in folk imagination is related to the nature of the story and its role in the narrative. She explained how folk literature portrays birds with contrasting tales, sometimes depicting them as signs of sorrow, other times as symbols of joy, hatred, or love. She also mentioned how imagination expanded to the extent of creating folk stories about humans turning into birds due to wrongdoings or magic spells.

Dr. Hend Al-Saidi, discussing "The World of Birds in Myths and Folk Tales," noted how birds have captivated human beings since ancient times with their forms, sounds, and benefits, which impacted people's lives. She elaborated on several myths from various cultures, emphasising how the interest in birds extended to discussing related elements such as wings, feathers, nests, and eggs. She also mentioned tales of conversations between birds and humans, as well as stories of human characters transforming into birds.

Artificial Intelligence in educational folk tales

"Saeed’s Adventures" is the name of a story about a boy named Saeed who refuses to listen to his parents until one day they tell him a story that completely changes his life. The story is written and directed by Engineer Talal. So, what does the story contain, and what are its objectives?

At the beginning of the story, narrated by a folk character using artificial intelligence, Saeed explores the features of the old Emirati house and learns about some of the items found within. He also encounters the owl known as "Umm Kund." Then, he embarks on a journey through time to the world of "One Thousand and One Nights," taking the participants with him as he joins Sinbad in his adventure with the mythical phoenix bird. Through this, he discovers the importance of courage in overcoming difficult situations. Saeed then returns to the present time, having changed his personality by learning about heritage values in a captivating and exciting way.

On this occasion, Aisha Al Hussan Al Shamsi, Director of the Arab Heritage Centre of the Institute and General Coordinator at the Sharjah International Narrator Forum 24, said: "The forum aimed to employ artificial intelligence in service of the folk tale, as it aligns with the interests of the current generation. It also seeks to bring closer the traditional concepts, values, and educational heritage in an interactive way. We plan to present more such stories in the coming period based on the success achieved in this year's edition of the forum."

The audience interacted with this story, which brought together different age groups. They praised the educational values and local folk elements it contained, ranging from architectural terms to the world of birds, as well as the importance of storytelling and proverbs in upbringing. All this enriched their knowledge about heritage and the educational and human values that shaped the nation’s civilisation, building a generation that loves heritage and feels a sense of belonging and pride in this generous country.