in search of the desert truffle

In Search of the Desert Truffle, under VCUArts Qatar’s Institute of Creative Research’s (IN)>Tangible Lab, is a multiyear transdisciplinary research project focused on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of the Qatar Desert Truffle. This quasi-mythical truffle, commonly referred to as faqaa in Arabic, is a prized wild fungus found in arid and semi-arid regions, including the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, and parts of the Mediterranean. Unlike their European counterparts, desert truffles thrive in the arid, sandy environments of the desert, forming a unique symbiotic relationship with the roots of specific plants, particularly those in the Helianthemum genus (commonly known as rock roses). Their growth is dependent on a precise combination of environmental and biological factors, including a mycorrhizal association with these desert plants and adequate rainfall, potentially influenced by thunder and lightning.

This project will bring design, ecology and heritage together to explore how embodied knowledge, immersive on-site expeditions, foraging re-enactments and cooking experiments, can lead both students and community to engage phenomenologically with ICH and TEK for heritage futures. In Search of the Desert Truffle will gather facts, myths, legends, recipes, and traditions related to the truffle; embark on two Qatari Desert Expeditions in early 2026; visit local farms attempting to grow the desert truffle; and cook the truffle.

Through the collaboration of our undergraduate research assistants, ecologist, filmmakers, sound artist, and an alumnus living on truffle land, we aim to monitor the delicate desert ecosystem: recording the sounds of seasonal changes, track climate patterns, document rainfall, and observe the growth and development of the symbiotic Helianthemum plants that are vital to the life cycle of desert truffles. Building on the exploration of desert truffles and their ecological significance, this project will also emphasize local linguistic and cultural practices that are vital for preserving cultural identity and the ecological knowledge tied to these unique organisms. By engaging with both Arabic and English, the project seeks to safeguard living culture, and traditional desert food practices, contributing to the activation of heritage and to sustainable heritage futures