Once a symbol of Nadji homes, Al-Roshen fades from view

Arab News

13-07-2025

RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia rapidly modernizes, some elements of its traditional architecture are becoming rarer, but not forgotten.
Once a hallmark of Najdi homes, Al-Roshen remains a cherished symbol of Saudi hospitality and social values, even as lifestyles and housing designs evolve.
'Al-Roshen is a room for special guests,' said Mohammad Alhouti, a resident of Riyadh's Aldeerah neighborhood.
'As soon as a person enters the house through the door, there is a ground-floor sitting room and a staircase. This staircase leads to Al-Roshen, separate so that the guest can go up as soon as they enter the house.'
Unlike the more common majlis, Al-Roshen offered a secluded space for important visitors.
According to Abdulrahman Alhouti, some people would add plaster to the walls of Al-Roshen, creating shapes and decorations that would make it stand out from the main majlis in the house.
• Once a hallmark of Najdi homes, Al-Roshen remains a cherished symbol of Saudi hospitality and social values, even as lifestyles and housing designs evolve.
• Unlike the more common majlis, Al-Roshen offered a secluded space for important visitors.
Though most contemporary homes are no longer built with an Al-Roshen, the spirit behind it remains.
Mohammad and Abdulrahman are a part of Thuluthiyyat Almasmak, a weekly cultural gathering held in front of Riyadh's Al-Masmak Palace.
Their group includes Fahad Alhidyyan, helping document and share Riyadh's history through stories of its neighborhoods, streets, schools and everyday life.
Their weekly gathering has reached its seventh year and the group has welcomed all types of visitors, from locals to international tourists coming to Riyadh, to discuss the past and present of the Kingdom's capital.
'(The gathering) tells the story of the history of Riyadh, its old alleys, streets, schools, farms and everything old, from the time of King Abdulaziz until the beginning of the development,' Abdulrahman said.
Today, Saudis continue to express hospitality in new ways — hosting events in gardens, villas, or special venues, while maintaining the warmth and generosity that have always defined social gatherings.
'In the past, receiving guests was of great importance. The host would take great care in welcoming his guests, making every effort to provide them with the best he could,' Alhidyyan said.
'People now meet during Eid, weddings, or planned gatherings, though often outside the home. There is a difference, but the intention remains.'
Rather than fading away entirely, Al-Roshen now lives on through cultural forums and conversations that highlight the evolution of tradition in a rapidly changing society.
For those preserving these stories, the goal is not to resist change but to carry forward the values and meaning behind these cultural symbols.