The Mansoojat Foundation Collection
The Mansoojat Foundation is a UK-registered charity established by a group of Saudi Arabian women who share a deep interest in the traditional costumes and heritage of Saudi Arabia. The foundation’s mission is to preserve and revive the traditional costumes, textiles, and embroidery of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; to promote and conduct academic research on the history and culture of the region; and to raise public awareness of this unique heritage.
The Mansoojat Foundation has amassed a collection of approximately 1,400 costume items, many of which have required extensive restoration. This collection showcases the rich diversity of traditional costumes, reflecting their social, geographical, and cultural contexts.
Documenting and classifying these costumes has involved years of meticulous research, field trips, and consultations with both academics and local experts. Given the vast regional diversity within Saudi Arabia, the foundation chose to collaborate with specialists from each region, leveraging their deep understanding of local history, culture, and traditions.
The costumes in the Mansoojat collection are organized by both tribal affiliation and geographical location, highlighting the unique cultural tapestry of Saudi Arabia. The geographical coverage of the collection varies, with some regions being more richly represented than others, based on the availability of costumes from donations and field trips.
The Mansoojat Foundation aims to provide an important introduction to the traditional costumes and heritage of Saudi Arabia, inspiring continued preservation and research efforts in this field.
Recent Collection Articles
Explore & discover the splendour of our collection
Hijaz outfit
Hijaz, Western Region Hijaz outfit comprising the inner silk zaboon under the fine organza thobe. Casual day outfits were made in the same way except that the fabric was plain or printed cotton. The Ka‘bah at Makkah (first established at the time of the prophet Abraham) is for Muslims the[...]
Sulaym thobe showing the embroidery on the yoke, the shoulders and the appliqué
Sulaym tribe Sulaym thobe showing the embroidery on the yoke, the shoulders and the appliqué on the hem. The rectangular black headdress is decorated with red fabric and nacre buttons arranged in geometric patterns. The Sulaym are related to the Harb, and led a semi-settled life near the Red Sea[...]
Sulaym thobe with finely embroidered yoke
Sulaym tribe Sulaym thobe with finely embroidered yoke. The sleeves have patchwork along the shoulders and around the edges. The circular iqal (head-band ) is made of woven leather interspersed with silver beads and bound around a malleable core. The Sulaym are related to the Harb, and led a semi-settled[...]
Sulaym thobe in black with very elaborate handiwork
Sulaym tribe Sulaym thobe in black with very elaborate handiwork along the hem and sleeves. The decoration comprises rows of multi coloured appliqué, embroidery and metal beading. The Sulaym are related to the Harb, and led a semi-settled life near the Red Sea coast as fishermen, traders and herders. They[...]
Harb thobe in blue with alternating green on the sleeve panels
Harb tribe Harb thobe in blue with alternating green on the sleeve panels, and patchwork on the shoulders. The burqu ' (face mask) is made of yellow silk and the front is embroidered with real pearls. The great oasis in the lava-flows of the northern Hijaz, known as al-Madinah al-Munawwarah[...]