Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

Saudi women explore traditional attire, heritage of the Kingdom

A book entitled “Traditional Costumes of Saudi Arabia” made its debut on Monday at a ceremony in Jeddah with the attendance of the city’s Mayor Saleh Al-Turki, academics, artists, and others interested in the Kingdom’s cultural history.

Born out of 14 years of collaboration with the Mansoojat Foundation, this book pays homage to Saudi Arabia’s rich textile heritage.

From the Labah Sadr of the Bal Harith tribe (a silver necklace decorated with colored glass beads, often recycled from old car lights) to the resplendent jasmine headdresses worn by people from Jazan, “Traditional Costumes of Saudi Arabia” captures the stunning scope of traditional accessories and garb.

The Mansoojat Foundation is a UK-registered charity founded by a group of Saudi women who share an interest in the traditional attire and heritage of Saudi Arabia.

To make this book possible, Mansoojat collected approximately 1,400 clothing items, many of which required extensive restoration.

Mayor of Jeddah posing with members of Mansoojat Foundations.


“We intend to showcase the costumes of some of Saudi Arabia’s regions, to understand and learn about the different geographical regions, the different tribes and cultures, the layers and intricacies of society, as well as the vibrant and colorful textiles and crafts that are part of Saudi Arabia’s heritage,” said Lamia Al-Ghalib, a member of the Mansoojat Foundation.

“Organizing the book into logical chapters has been a challenge. In some instances, costumes had to be grouped by tribe and in others by geographical location,” she added.

“Classifying and documenting the costumes took us years of studies, research, field trips, and consultations with both academics and local experts. We succeeded in working with specialists for each region because they were obviously familiar with their history, cultures and traditions.”

The book, Al-Ghalib explained, features images of models wearing the outfits in combination with other accessories, which “gives a real-life representation of what these items would have looked like when used and helps bring (them) to life.”

Preserving costumes that are no longer worn and celebrating those that remain at the heart of communities, the book provides valuable insight into the history of Saudi Arabia through the voices of its oldest inhabitants.

The mayor of Jeddah expressed his admiration for the book, its informative contents, and the outstanding work of those who helped realize it.

Meanwhile, Ali Hussein Alireza, managing director of Aston Martin Saudi Arabia, where the ceremony was held, also expressed his happiness in hosting the official launch of the book, telling Arab News that it was vital to preserve the Kingdom’s history.

“Historical preservation is extremely important to Saudi Arabia, and I personally know the efforts these ladies went through to complete this great project,” he said.

“I am so proud of the women involved in writing this book because of the work and dedication that have been put into collecting, restoring, researching, and documenting to keep the old customs of Saudi Arabia alive for new generations,” he added.

The book, which is divided into 20 chapters according to region or tribe, was edited by Al-Ghalib, Alireza, and Richard Wilding.

According to Al-Ghalib, Mansoojat’s mission is to preserve and revive the traditional attire, textiles and embroidery of the Kingdom, to promote and conduct academic research on the history and culture of the region, and to raise public awareness of this unique heritage.

The book is not only a showcase for the Mansoojat Foundation but a window into the culture and society of Saudi Arabia.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
Iran's Parliament Votes to Suspend Cooperation with Nuclear Watchdog
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Oman Set to Introduce Personal Income Tax, First in Gulf
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Alleged Mossad Operatives After Sabotage Claims
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
×