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.
Recent Articles
Explore and discover our collection
Deema al-Sulaiman Kabbani
Deema al-Sulaiman Kabbani has a varied background in international relations, French literature, Islamic studies, and interior decoration. She completed her studies in International Relations and French Literature in the United States and later pursued Islamic Studies at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in the UK. Additionally, she undertook studies in interior[...]
Richard Wilding
Richard Wilding is a strategic consultant, writer, photographer and film producer, specialising in international cultural relations, community engagement, and the promotion of heritage and tourism. Richard has been working in the Middle East since 2004, producing exhibitions, publications, documentary films and events programmes, and directing heritage revitalisation projects. His clients[...]
Nadia Alireza
Nadia Alireza is a highly motivated and skilled professional with a proven track record of leadership, project management, and cultural preservation. As the Managing Director of the Mansoojat Foundation since 1999, Nadia has spearheaded initiatives aimed at reviving, documenting, and preserving the traditional costumes of Saudi Arabia. Her work has[...]
Mona Khashsoggi
Mona Khashoggi is a theatre and film producer, writer and prominent patron of the Arts. She specialises in reviving cultural stories from the Middle East and bringing them to international audiences. After completing a Masters Degree in Middle Eastern Studies at SOAS, University of London, Mona Khashoggi co-founded the Mansoojat[...]
Dialogue between Art and Crafts
In line with our current exhibition WOVEN SPACES, Fenaa Alawwal has the pleasure to invite you to a panel discussion about the intersection of arts and crafts, based on the LIBAS collection by Iwan Maktabi.