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.
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
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 appliques. 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. 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.
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