CULTURE
The cultures and traditions of Saudi Arabia at a glance

 

  ...............................................................................................................
Culture & The Arts
...............................................................................................................
  

 

....................................
A man reading the Quran.
....................................
  For thousands of years, the people of the Arabian Peninsula have been at the geographic, commercial and cultural crossroads of the world. As early as 3,000 BC, the people of the western region of the peninsula were part of a far-reaching commercial network extending to south Asia, the Mediterranean and Egypt.The discovery some 1,900 years ago of the cyclical pattern of trade winds known as the monsoon, from the Arabic mawsim meaning season, increased the importance of the peninsula. Trade flourished, with merchants of the peninsula acting as the vital link between India and the Far East on the one side and Byzantium and the Mediterranean states  
 

on the other. Interaction with other cultures of east and west over the centuries enriched the ancient traditions and culture of the people of the peninsula.

The introduction of Islam to the Arabian heartland in the seventh century AD further strengthened the region's cultural heritage. Within a century, Islam spread west to the Atlantic Ocean and as far east as the Indian subcontinent and China.

With Makkah as its core, the Islamic world witnessed a flowering of culture, the sciences and the arts unparalleled in human history. Every year for the past fourteen centuries, Muslim pilgrims from around the world have traveled to Islam's holiest sites in Makkah and Madinah, helping further enrich the culture of the people of the peninsula.

With the formation of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, King Abdulaziz bin Abdelrahman Al-Saud directed his efforts to preserving and perpetuating Arab traditions and culture. His legendary dedication to this cause was emulated by his sons and successors at a crucial time when the nation was entering an era of rapid economic development.

That Saudi Arabia has successfully preserved and strengthened its cultural heritage while achieving the spectacular development and modernization of the past three decades is testimony to the resilience of Saudi culture and the nation's determination to cherish and protect it. Today amid the bustle of life in the 21st century in modern Saudi society contemporary Saudi writers look to the past for inspiration. Popular musicians incorporate ancient rhythms and instruments into their modern music and painters capture traditional scenes.

The accelerating pace of development in the 1970s, however, led Saudi leaders to take additional steps to preserve the nation's cultural and artistic heritage. In 1974 the General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW) was established. One of its main functions is to strengthen an understanding and respect for the nation's culture and arts among young people.

In 1974, the Department of Museums and Antiquities was formed in the Ministry of Education. Today, in addition to the National Museum in Riyadh there are eleven major museums throughout the Kingdom, and many smaller ones. Thousands of Saudis, particularly the younger generation, visit these museums daily to become better acquainted with their heritage.


...............................................................................................................
Cultural Institutions
...............................................................................................................



Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University

Saudi Arabia's emphasis on preserving its cultural heritage is facilitated by a variety of institutions throughout the Kingdom. First and foremost is the nation's education system. Already introduced by their families to Islamic and Arab values and traditions, young Saudis entering school are exposed to literature and the arts. Through their curricula and special events the schools instill in Saudi youths a deep respect for their past and love for their culture.

The General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW) sponsors a wide variety of cultural programs, including literary and drama clubs, folklore classes, library events, arts and crafts as well as science projects. In the drama clubs participants engage in writing competitions and dramatic performances as part of a team. The nine literary clubs throughout the Kingdom sponsor lectures and symposiums and encourage talented young writers. Similar clubs offer Saudis the opportunity to develop other artistic talents.

The GPYW is also very active in national and international cultural events, such as poetry competitions, essay competitions, calligraphy and art exhibits, to name a few. The organization sponsors a series of regular exhibitions, literary readings and symposiums at its regional offices and at its Riyadh headquarters. It also sponsors the participation of Saudis in international arts and cultural events.

Another organization involved in arts and culture is the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts, which was founded in 1972 and is affiliated with the GPYW. Divided into six committees - culture, theatre, music and vocal arts, visual arts, information, and publishing - its mandate includes sponsoring Saudi artists and providing avenues for these new talents to develop and display their skills. In addition the society has established a library and an information center, as well as the Kingdom's first cultural center, located in Riyadh.

The King Faisal Foundation promotes Arab and Islamic culture both within the country and abroad. The Riyadh-based organization awards one of its annual King Faisal International Prizes to individuals who have promoted literature.

The King Fahd Library in Riyadh has one of the largest collections of rare manuscripts on Arabic and Islamic literature and the arts and is a premier research facility in the Middle East.

  
  ...............................................................................................................
Jenadriyah Heritage & Cultural Festival
...............................................................................................................		  

  In 1985, the first Saudi National Heritage and Culture Festival was held at Jenadriyah near Riyadh. The annual event, organized by the National Guard under the patronage of the King, epitomizes Saudi Arabia's commitment to preserving and exploring its cultural heritage. For two weeks out of the year, the festival provides over a million Saudis with a glimpse into the past. A traditional camel race opens the festival, which  
  encompasses almost every aspect of Saudi Arabia's culture and heritage. Artisans, such as potters, woodworkers and weavers demonstrate their traditional crafts in small shops with typical palm-frond-roofed porches. During the course of the festival, folklore troupes perform the ardha and other national dances, while singers from around the Kingdom perform traditional songs and music.  

  ...............................................................................................................
Archeological Heritage
...............................................................................................................		  


 

Historic preservation is an essential element of Saudi Arabian culture. Today the Kingdom's archaeological heritage is safeguarded by the Department of Museums and Antiquities which has excavated, catalogued and preserved pre-historic and historic sites. Important archaeological work is also carried out by the Department of Archaeology at King Saud University in Riyadh.

Historic preservation is an essential element of Saudi Arabian culture. Today the Kingdom's archaeological heritage is safeguarded by the Department of Museums and Antiquities which has excavated, catalogued and preserved pre-historic and historic sites. Important archaeological work is also carried out by the Department of Archaeology at King Saud University in Riyadh.

As the birthplace of Islam special emphasis is placed on preserving the Kingdom's Islamic archaeological heritage. In addition to the Holy Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, a large number of mosques around the Kingdom, such as those built by the firstcaliphs after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, have been meticulously restored.

The recent restoration of the old Qasr Al-Hokm area in Riyadh is indicative of the Kingdom's commitment to preserve and cherish its cultural heritage for the benefit of its citizens. Similar restoration work of the old city quarters has been undertaken in Jeddah, Hail and other cities around the Kingdom. This restoration work was particularly significant during the celebrations in 1999 marking the hijrah centennial since the taking of the Masmak Fortress in 1902.


...............................................................................................................
Folk Music & Dance
...............................................................................................................

A living part of the country's ancient heritage, Saudi Arabia's music and traditional dance echo the timeless melodies of chanting Bedouin poets and singing swordsmen. Folklore music varies from region to region. The national dance of Saudi Arabia, the men's sword dance known as ardha, has its roots in the Najd. It is an ancient tradition that combines singers, dancers and a poet or narrator. Men carrying swords stand shoulder to shoulder and, from their midst, a poet begins to sing verses or a short melodic line while drummers beat out the rhythm. In the Hijaz, the al-sihba folk music combines poetry and songs of Arab Andalusia in medieval Spain. A traditional dance and song known as the al-mizmar is also performed in Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah. This features the music of the al-mizmar, a woodwind instrument similar to the oboe.

Since the early 1980s the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and the Arts has been studying and recording folk music and dance traditions in the Kingdom. The producers of a popular television show "Folk Arts" have also traveled around the country interviewing local musicians and recording the music and dance of every tribe and village.

Today, there are over 50 folklore dance and music groups in the Kingdom. Popular contemporary Saudi singers value the classical music traditions that have influenced their work and are skilled at incorporating ancient rhythms and instruments, such as the tar and the oud, into their modern music. 		 


  ...............................................................................................................
Traditional Dress & Jewelry
...............................................................................................................		  

 

....................................
A traditional jewelry
....................................
  Saudi Arabia's dress is one of its strongest ties to the past and reflects the challenging environment, faith and values of its people. The practicality of loose, flowing garments in a hot wind-swept climate was reinforced by the Islamic ideals of propriety in dress and conduct.

Today, as in antiquity, men wear a thawb, a simple, ankle-length shirt of wool or cotton. Traditional headwear includes a ghutra, a largediagonally-folded cotton square worn over a kufiyyah (skull cap) and held in place by an igaal, a double-coiled cord circlet. A flowing floor-length outer cloak, known as a bisht, is generally made of wool or camel hair in black, beige, brown or cream tones. 		 


 

The woman's traditional dress displays regional and tribal motifs and is embellished with coins, sequins, metallic thread or brilliantly colored fabric appliqués. The classic headdress is a shayla - a scarf of black gauzy fabric wrapped around the head and secured by a variety of head circlets, hats or jewelry. An abaya, a black outer cloak, is customarily worn over the dress in public.

Fine embroidery of clothes and the weaving of elaborately-designed textiles have also been long practiced in the peninsula. Designs used in tent coverings, saddlebags and carpets vary from region to region.

Jewelry has been an essential element of Arabian dress for thousands of years. Typically made of silver or silver alloy, traditional bracelets, rings, necklaces and head ornaments are characterized by their impressive size, bold designs and hand-crafted appearance. The jewelry is often embellished with semi-precious stones, corals, beads and coins.

...............................................................................................................
Calligraphy
...............................................................................................................




Arabic calligraphy dates back approximately 1,400 years to the first century of Islam. Historically, the primary subject matter for calligraphy has been the Holy Qur'an. Characterized as the quintessential Islamic art form, calligraphy is a revered art in Saudi Arabia.

  In the Name of Allah,
the Compassionate,
the Merciful



Saudi museums collect and display rare manuscripts and other organizations commission works of calligraphy, provide training in the art form, and hold competitions to foster a new generation of young artists. Today, calligraphy is a dominant theme in metal work, ceramics, glass, textiles, painting and sculpture throughout Saudi Arabia. Inscriptions can be found adorning the interior walls of mosques, as well as public and private office buildings and homes.

...............................................................................................................
Architecture
...............................................................................................................

As a part of the Kingdom's interest in preservation, contemporary Saudi architects are increasingly using traditional Islamic concepts in building designs. Historically, building designs and materials were dictated by the climate, geography and resources of the various regions. Adobe was a mainstay of traditional builders in Riyadh, the Najd and parts of the Eastern Province due to its malleability, availability and insulation qualities. In western Saudi Arabia stone and red brick are common construction materials. In Jeddah, coral taken from the Red Sea reefs is used.



Today Saudi architects have been instrumental in preserving the Kingdom's architectural integrity, as well as in revitalizing traditional building designs. Utilizing elements of traditional architecture in the design of new structures strengthens the link between the country's architectural past and its innovative future.

Researchers at various universities, such as the King Faisal University, analyze and draft suggestions for the architectural development of various regions throughout the Kingdom based on studies of traditional architecture. King Saud University and the King Khalid International Airport are two striking examples of just how well traditional Islamic design and modern structure can be combined.

The efforts of the government and local organizations have resulted in the preservation of Saudi Arabia's rich heritage and a greater appreciation among young Saudis that promises to ensure that the Kingdom's cultural and artistic treasures will be cherished by future generations.

  


  PRINTER FRIENDLY  

  ...............................................................................................................

BACK TO TOP