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Overview
 The
efforts of both local organizations and the government have resulted
in a greater appreciation among young Saudis of the Kingdom's rich
heritage, and ensure that its cultural and artistic treasures will
be cherished by future generations. Meanwhile, by investing in
sports facilities, it seeks to encourage recreational activities as
part of a healthy lifestyle.
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 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.
Cultural Institutions
 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) has in the past
sponsored a wide variety of cultural programs, including literary
and drama clubs, folklore classes, library events, arts and crafts
as well as science projects. Since the reorganization of government
bodies in April 2003, these activities are now incorporated into
the Ministry of Culture and Information. In the drama clubs participants
engage in writing competitions and dramatic performances as part
of a team. The Kingdom's literary clubs sponsor lectures and
symposiums and encourage talented young writers. Similar clubs
offer Saudis the opportunity to develop other artistic talents.
There are also national and international cultural events, such
as poetry competitions, essay competitions, calligraphy and art
exhibits, to name a few. The Department of Culture sponsors regular
exhibitions, literary readings and symposiums at regional offices
as well as 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
as an affiliate of the GPYW, and is now part of the Ministry
of Culture and Information. 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 Arabic 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.
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. The
heritage village erected at Jenadriyah is a permanent structure.
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. The heritage
village erected at Jenadriyah is a permanent structure.
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.
Literary figures from across the country participate in poetry
competitions between contemporary poets reciting historic verses.
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.
Diriyah, the ancestral home of the Al-Saud family and the first
capital of the Saudi state, was a major restoration project undertaken
by the Kingdom's archaeologists. Other projects include the ancient
sites at Fau, Madain Saleh, Al-Ula, Tayma, Duma and along the
Darb Zubaydah, the pilgrimage road to Makkah.
As the birthplace of Islam, the Kingdom places special emphasis
on preserving its 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 first caliphs after the death of the Prophet Muhammad,
have been meticulously restored.
The restoration of the old Qasr Al-Hokm area in Riyadh is indicative
of the Kingdom's commitment to preserving and cherishing its
cultural heritage for the benefit of its citizens. Similar restoration
work of old 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 and 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 the 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 woodwind instrument of that name, which is 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' 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.
Traditional Dress and
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 large diagonally-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 1,400 years or so 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.
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 Nejd 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 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.
Resource:
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia
in Washington, D.C.
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