Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s traditional costumes are as diverse as its provinces, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of each region. Here’s a outline of the traditional costumes of each province, emphasising their unique characteristics and historical context.
Eastern Province (Ash-Sharqiyah)
Men wear the thobe and often a bisht for formal occasions. Women wear the abayaand niqab, sometimes adorned with gold embroidery.
The Eastern Province’s costumes reflect its affluent history due to oil wealth, with an emphasis on luxurious fabrics and detailed embellishments.
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Laila Bint Saleh Al-Bassam
Laila Bint Saleh Al-Bassam is Professor of Fashion and Traditional Textiles at Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh. She has published on traditional costumes across Saudi Arabia and has also participated in the organization of various textile-related exhibitions, including Orient Jewels at the National Museum, Riyadh. Al-Bassam is the author[...]
Abdallah Thabit
Abdallah Thabit is a prominent intellectual from Abha, 'Sir, currently based in Jeddah. A prolific poet, novelist and journalist, he has won several literary awards, including the National Poetry Prize of Abha. Thabit is a key figure of cultural life in 'Asir. His works have been translated into English, French,[...]
Ali Ibrahim Mohammed Maghawi
Ali Ibrahim Mohammed Maghawi is a writer and researcher on cultural heritage in southern Saudi Arabia. He is an active member, mentor and guide with the Rijal Alma Museum in ‘Asir. Maghawi has published on various cultural and literary topics and has a long-standing interest in tribal traditions of ‘Asir.[...]
Abdul Aziz bin Mansi Sa’id al-‘Omari
Abdul Aziz bin Mansi Sa'id al-'Omari is the director of the Antiquities and Ethnographic museum Department with the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage. Previously, he was the head of regional museums in Al-Ula, Najran and Taif. As an archaeologist with the National Museum in Riyadh, al-'Omari has worked[...]
Soraya Altorki
Soraya Altorki is a professor of anthropology at The American University in Cairo. She holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley and has taught at universities across the US and in Saudi Arabia. Her research focuses on women's issues in the Arab world and she is a founding[...]