Traditional Costumes of Saudi Arabia

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.