Living traditions: How women have contributed to preserving Saudi crafts and heritage

Arab News

22-02-2025

RIYADH: Hams Al-Mureh began drawing in her childhood, largely influenced by her surroundings: intricate and colorful geometric shapes lined the walls of her grandmother's house, the signature of the art of Al-Qatt Al-Asiri.
Women in the southern region of Saudi Arabia, historically, were responsible for plastering and painting these decorative motifs for more than 300 years. They are now culturally defining elements of the rich heritage of a modern Kingdom, but women's contributions to Saudi culture do not end there: their role was prominent in establishing arts, crafts, and cuisines that are a big part of the burgeoning nation.
Al-Mureh, now an established Saudi artist, told Arab News: 'I would watch my grandmother as she painted, and I first participated with her in decorating the walls of her house in 2009. I was not just practicing a hobby, but contributing to reviving an ancient heritage.'
She spoke about how Al-Qatt Al-Asiri 'is an identity, a visual language that expresses the history and culture of women in the southern region of Saudi Arabia.'
She added: 'It is also a symbol of life, beauty, and social communication, as it was traditionally painted collectively in homes to reflect the spirit of cooperation and female creativity.'
As a child she was drawn to the bold color composition and the harmonious geometric details of the murals, but what mattered most to her was the emotional connection with her family.
Her grandmother was a natural-born artist, she says, and Al-Mureh inherited this through storytelling and direct experiences. 'It wasn't a traditional way of teaching as much as it was participation in a way of life,' she explained.
Al-Qatt is considered an art traditionally done by women as a means of decorating a home's interior. The more intricate and skilled the work is, the more dignified the women of the family are considered.
The geometrical shapes, consisting of lines, triangles, diamonds, and squares, are traditionally painted with natural colors extracted from flowers, leaves, and various metals.
It was inscribed on UNESCO's lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017 and one of its most notable figures was the late Saudi visual artist Fatima Abou Gahas, who was known for her naghash, or fresco, wall painting.
Al-Mureh now incorporates elements of Al-Qatt painted over a canvas of palm leaf weaving — another traditional form of art in Saudi. While these weaved mats and fans are now considered great gifts or decorative pieces, Bedouins once relied heavily on the weaving technique to create baskets, bowls, mats, tablecloths, brooms, and bags to be carried by their camels.
Palm leaves are dried out in the sun, then cut and soaked before being dyed, if required, and then sewn together.
Al-Mureh said: 'Palm weaving art, such as palm baskets and mats, was part of daily life in Saudi Arabia, just like Asiri Qatt. I wanted to merge the two arts to make my artistic practice not only aesthetic, but also stories that carry the spirit of a place and time.'
Traditional handcrafts are considered one of the most significant aspects of Saudi Arabia's cultural heritage. The 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, a UNESCO treaty, has focused specifically on passing on heritage from one generation to another.
Sumaiah Al-Ghamdi, the senior archaeological research officer of the antiquities sector at the Heritage Commission, told Arab News: 'Women have played a major role in preserving these crafts by actively practicing them.'
Sadu weaving, which is also listed by UNESCO, is one of the most prominent traditional and creative arts in the Kingdom. It has been practiced by those living in the Arabian Peninsula since ancient times and, in turn, those living in Saudi Arabia since its inception.
Al-Ghamdi added: 'As time passed by, it encapsulated an image of human and cultural heritage in the Kingdom, through the designs, its unique craftsmanship, the detailed decorative elements, and the bright colors.'
The horizontal style of weaving is made using camel hair, and was traditionally used to make desert tents that protected from the nighttime cold and the daytime sun. It is also decorative and has now made its way into many modern designs like abayas and furniture.
Al-Mureh said: 'Preserving traditional arts does not mean freezing them in time but reintroducing them in contemporary ways that make them accessible to the new generations, whether through visual arts, design, or even handicraft products.
'Heritage is not just the past; it is the foundation on which we build our future.'
The practice of applying henna — a reddish-brown dye made from dried, powdered leaves of the henna tree — to the body was recently added to UNESCO's list.
A report from the Saudi Press Agency then said: 'Henna has great cultural significance in Saudi Arabia, with the art mastered by women and passed down through generations. It represents joy and optimism and is a social tradition that strengthens community bonds.'
Saudi cuisine is also an indication of the country's rich history, with each of the 13 regions in the country having its own unique dishes.
Al-Ghamdi said: 'We have jareesh, harees, khubz ahmar, qursan. There are so many dishes depending on the region and they are being made at the same time in either winter or summer.
'Our women's work to pass these typical dishes down to the following generations is the best form of preserving this heritage. They have innovated methods of keeping and storing food, like drying, pickling, souring, or sugaring, as a form of food preservation.'
In an artwork that celebrates women's dual role in establishing the country's culinary and musical heritage, artist Najla Alqubaisi presented 'The Sound of Millstone' during the Noor Riyadh festival of art and light last year. The audiovisual installation featured folk songs sung by Najdi women during long hours at the millstone.
Al-Ghamdi said: 'I believe that folk songs and Saudi folklore can be attributed to women because they were essentially sung for and about them, and this in itself is a preservation of the popular song.
'Another thing is that women sang and performed traditional songs at wedding parties in the past and they are still doing it today.'