Culture of Arabia

Overview

Saudi Arabia's culture is diverse, influenced by its Islamic background, historical significance as an old trading center, and Bedouin customs.

Saudi society has progressed tremendously over the last several decades. Saudis have adapted their beliefs and traditions to the contemporary world, including rituals, hospitality, and even clothes.

The Crossroads of the World

Many diverse civilizations enriched the Arabian people due to their location at the crossroads of significant historical trading routes. Arabian traders were part of a vast trading network that spanned South Asia, the Mediterranean, and Egypt as early as 3,000 BC. They were an essential link between India and the Far East on the one hand, and Byzantium and the Mediterranean nations on the other.

The arrival of Islam in the 7th century AD significantly shaped the region's culture. Within a century of its founding in the Arabian Peninsula, Islam had extended west to the Atlantic Ocean and East to India and China within a century. It nurtured the Islamic "Golden Age," a vibrant age of tremendous learning in culture, science, philosophy, and the arts.

And, for the last 14 centuries, Muslim pilgrims from all over the globe have visited the sacred places in Makkah and Medina, enhancing the region's culture. The pilgrims returned to their homelands with ivory from Africa, carpets from the East, and local products.

King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman devoted himself to maintaining Arab customs and culture when the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932, and his sons and successors have done the same.

Arab and Islamic Traditions

The holy month of Ramadan, the Hajj (pilgrimage) season, and the national festivals that follow them are the year's highlights. The holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to nightfall, culminates in the Eid-Al-Fitr celebration, when it is common to buy gifts and clothes for children and visit friends and family.

The Hajj season, when millions of Muslim pilgrims worldwide flock to Makkah, is another highlight. The Hajj season comes to a close with the Eid Al-Adha feast, when families offer a sacrifice in honor of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son.

Traditions from the Arab world play a vital part in Saudi society. These ancient customs have evolved over millennia and are highly valued. They include hospitality and charity, which every Saudi family extends to strangers, friends, and relatives. Coffee is the most fundamental symbol of hospitality; its preparation is a complex cultural heritage, and it is frequently served in small cups with dates and sweets. The burning of incense (oud) to greet visitors is another example of hospitality.

Archeological Heritage

Saudi Arabia places a high value on historic preservation and places a high value on cultural preservation. Several restoration initiatives have been undertaken to protect the Kingdom's architectural legacy, including restoring old buildings and communities. The Department of Museums and Antiquities, which excavates, catalogues, and maintains prehistoric and historic sites, oversees these initiatives.

The Department of Tourism was moved from the Ministry of Education to the Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT) in 2003.

The Department of Archaeology at King Saud University in Riyadh also does important archaeological work.

Dariyah, the ancestral residence of the Al-Saud family and the capital of the First Saudi State, underwent a massive repair effort.The historical sites of Fau, Madain Saleh, Al-Ula, Tayma, and Duma, and the Darb Zubaydah, the pilgrimage path to Makkah, are other projects.

The Kingdom places a significant focus on protecting its Islamic archaeological legacy as the birthplace of Islam. Many mosques across the kingdom, notably the Holy Mosque in Makkah, the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, and mosques erected by the first caliphs following the (PBUH) Prophet Muhammad's death, have been painstakingly rebuilt.

The Saudi government is also renovating old districts to demonstrate its dedication to protecting its cultural legacy. Restoration work has been carried out in Riyadh's historic Qasr Al-Hokm neighbourhood and Jeddah's, Hail's, and other Saudi cities' ancient areas. During the hijrah centennial commemoration commemorating the capture of Masmak Fortress in 1902, this repair effort was on display.

Architecture

Saudi Arabia has a distinct architectural legacy that has evolved over time.

The climate, topography, and resources accessible in Saudi Arabia have historically determined architectural styles and materials. Builders in the central areas, for example, selected adobe because of its malleability, availability, and insulating properties. Stone and red brick were widespread in western Saudi Arabia, whereas Jeddah's architects
utilized coral from the Red Sea.

Traditional Saudi architectural designs and Islamic principles are increasingly being used as inspiration by modern Saudi architects. This history of marriage with ultra-modernity reinforces the bond between a treasured past and a forward-thinking future.

The King Khalid International Airport and King Saud University are two stunning instances of how traditional Islamic architecture and contemporary structures can coexist.

Every mosque has at least one minaret, while two are more typical, and bigger mosques have more, such as the Holy Mosque in Makkah, which has twelve majestic minarets.

They might be as tiny as 20 feet in small village mosques or as large as 360 feet in Medina's Prophet's Mosque. Some are plain, while others are lavishly embellished with stone and tiles. Most minarets nowadays are sound-proofed, so the muezzin is no longer necessary to undertake the strenuous climb up the minaret.

Every mosque has at least one minaret, while two are more typical, and bigger mosques have more, such as the Holy Mosque in Makkah, which has twelve majestic minarets. They might be as tiny as 20 feet in small village mosques or as large as 360 feet in Medina's Prophet's (MHSRIP) Mosque. Some are plain, while others are lavishly embellished with stone and tiles. Most minarets nowadays are sound-proofed, so the muezzin is no longer required to undertake the strenuous climb up the minaret.

Calligraphy

Calligraphy is a treasured art form in Saudi Arabia, dating back 1,400 years to the first century of Islam.

Calligraphy is regarded as the archetypal Islamic art form since its principal subject matter has historically been the Holy Qur'an.

Rare manuscripts are collected and shown at Saudi museums. Other organizations commission calligraphy pieces, offer calligraphy instruction, and host competitions to inspire future generations of artists.

In today's Saudi Arabia and the Muslim world, calligraphy is a popular motif in metalwork, ceramics, glass, fabrics, painting, and sculpture. Inscriptions are frequently found on the interior walls of mosques, as well as governmental and private businesses and residences.

Cultural Institutions

To preserve Saudi Arabia's cultural history, a number of institutions have been built around the country.

The Ministry of Culture and Information's Department of Culture, for example, offers a broad range of cultural activities, including literary and theatre groups, folklore lessons, library events, arts and crafts, and scientific initiatives.

These groups cater to a wide range of cultural pursuits. Participants in theatre clubs, for example, compete in writing competitions and perform as a group. Other clubs provide opportunities for Saudis to enhance their creative abilities. The Department of Culture regularly sponsors exhibitions, literary readings, and symposia at its regional offices and its Riyadh headquarters. It also funds Saudis' participation in international art and cultural events, including poetry and essay contests, calligraphy and art exhibitions.

The Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts, which was created in 1972, supports Saudi artists and gives opportunities to newcomers to develop and showcase their work. The organization has built a library and information center in Riyadh and the Kingdom's first cultural center.

The King Fahd Library in Riyadh, which houses one of the largest collections of rare manuscripts in Arabic and Islamic literature and is a premier research facility in the Middle East, and the King Faisal Foundation, whose annual King Faisal International Prizes include one for Arabic literature, are two other cultural institutions. Many winners of the King Faisal Prize have gone on to win other prestigious international accolades, including the Nobel Prize.

In 1974, the Department of Museums and Antiquities was created. Today, each of the Kingdom's 13 provinces has a large museum and several smaller, privately owned ones scattered over the nation.

The National Museum in Riyadh is Saudi Arabia's largest museum and was established in 1999 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the young Abdul-Aziz's capture of the Masmak Fortress, which led to the establishment of the current Saudi Kingdom. Private museums exist as well, such as the Humane Heritage Museum in Jeddah.

Folk Dancing and Singing

Saudi Arabia's folk music was formed by nomadic Bedouins and pilgrims who brought musical influences from worldwide, making it a living component of the country's past.

The music varies by region; for example, in the Hijaz, al-sihba music combines poetry and melodies from Arab Andalusia, whereas Makkah and Medina folk music reflects influences from all over the Islamic world.

The ardha, a men's sword dance, is the national dance. The ardha is an old practice that originated in the country's central region known as the Najd. It consists of singers, sword-wielding dancers, and a poet or storyteller. The traditional dance is performed by men wielding swords in two lines or a circle, with a poet singing in the middle.

Poetry

Poetry is very significant in Arab culture, and it has traditionally been regarded as one of the most acceptable forms of literary expression.

When the Bedouin were continually roaming, poetry was mainly an oral tradition. People would congregate around a storyteller who would weave tales of love, valor, chivalry, conflict, and historical events. This served as both entertainment and oral history, tradition, and social value maintenance.

The Arabic love of language and poetry was elevated to new heights by the Holy Qur'an. It is regarded as the finest literary model since it displays the flawless usage of the Arabic language.

Poetry is prevalent in Saudi Arabia today. They congregate at cultural events, such as the Jenadriyah National Culture and Heritage Festival, and eagerly read the works of recognized poets published in Saudi Arabia each year. A popular televised poetry competition is also held.

Traditional Dress and Jewelry

Saudis prefer traditional clothing to Western fashions, and they typically dress in modern interpretations of classic patterns. The loose, flowing traditional clothing is both practical for the Kingdom's hot, and windy environment.

Men:

A thawb is an ankle-length robe or cotton shirt worn by men. They wear a vast square of cotton (ghutra) folded diagonally over a skullcap (kufiyyah) and secured with a string circlet on their heads (igaal). The ensemble is completed by a flowing, full-length outer cloak (bisht), usually made of wool or camel hair. The bisht was also used as a blanket when traveling in the past.

Women:

Over their attire, women traditionally wear a black outer cloak (abaya). Saudi women customarily wear a shayla on their heads, which is a black, gauzy scarf wrapped around the head and tied with circlets, caps, or jewelry. Coins, sequins, and vividly colored fabric appliqués are frequently used to embellish traditional clothing.

Wearing a veil is a long-standing tradition that dates back at least two millennia. A thin veil protects the skin and eyes from damage caused by constant exposure to the sun in a harsh desert environment.

Jewelry:

For hundreds of years, jewelry has been an integral aspect of Arabian attire. Jewelry was more than just an adornment; it was a statement of social and economic prestige. It was also an easily transportable form of wealth and security for the migratory Bedouins.

Silver was the most common metal used in traditional jewelry, but gold was frequently utilized. Jewelers employed stones from the Kingdom's rich mines, such as turquoise, garnets, and amber, as well as pearls and coral from the shore. Decorations included little bells, coins, and chains. Islamic calligraphy and themes inspired the elaborate patterns of geometric forms, leaves, crescents, and flowers.

When Saudi women marry or have children, their husbands give them jewelry as a present. Modern Saudi women wear jewelry in traditional and contemporary styles with diamonds and a range of precious metals. Bracelets made of solid gold are still a popular present for women.

Places to Experience Culture of the Kingdom

Hima Cultural Area: Hima, one of the world's most significant rock art complexes, is located in Saudi Arabia's hilly southwest. Hima is a collection of 34 archaeological monuments situated along an old trade route with inscriptions cut into the rock face in various languages, including Arabic, Greek, Thamudic, and Musnad. The carvings, which portray hunting, fauna, and fauna, are a time capsule that provides insight into the many civilizations and peoples that have lived in this area over time.

Rock Art in the Al Hail Region: If you travel to Saudi Arabia's northern Hail area, you'll find yourself surrounded by ancient rock art in the middle of the desert. Various inscriptions and petroglyphs show human activities, clothes, animals, and weaponry of the past in this region, which is home to some of the most unique Neolithic rock art in the Middle East. Rock inscriptions from the Pottery Neolithic period date back at least 7,000 to 9,000 years at Jubbah's Jabal Umm Sinman.

Historical Jeddah: The ancient old town of Jeddah, Al-Balad, is where you'll find buildings made of coral that are over 500 years old. In recent years, there has been a surge in interest in the old town, and restoration efforts have been undertaken to conserve its unique history and architecture. According to legend, Al-Balad may be the final resting place of Eve.

Al Turaif, Diriyah: Al Turaif, the Al Saud family's first seat, was founded in the 15th century and is located in Diriyah. It was formerly a crossroads for travelers and traders from Europe, Asia, and Africa. The ruins of mudbrick homes created in the Najdi architectural style and the area's history stretch back thousands of years.

Go Back in Time at Al Ula: Visitors may live out their fantasies of becoming an adventurous archaeologist for a day at AlUla, deep in the desert in Saudi Arabia's northwestern area. Visitors may visit Hegra, Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage site, where they can see ancient tombs dating back 7,000 years, spectacular natural rock formations and canyons, a variety of adventure sports, and cutting-edge art.

Take an Arabian Foor Tour: Food is central to travel, especially when you take the time to learn about a place through its cuisine. If you visit Saudi Arabia, you will not be disappointed with the food at breakfast, lunch, supper, or dessert. Saudi Arabia's food scene is vibrant, diversified, and excellent. There's something for everyone's palate, from scrumptious gourmet food to aromatic Arabic meals.

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