Saudi Arabian traditional crafts, which Saudi Arabians' forefathers made and used in their daily activities, look simple at first glance, but they were made with very scarce resources.
Al-Janbiah and Al-Khanjer
Al-Janbiah and Al-Khanjer are curved and straight daggers, traditionally manufactured in the southern region of the kingdom. Both are considered personal weapons. The straight dagger is distinguished by its silver handle. The curved dagger is decorated with engravings and its top is made from the horn of the ibex and ivory, which display the talent of the maker and also sells at a higher price.
Bead making
Bead making originates mostly in Makkah and Al-Madinah. A simple machine is used along with animal bones and other materials brought from the sea. They are then decorated, colored and polished. Some of the beads, such amber, are very expensive.
Hayiek
Weaving is called sadu in Arabic and is regarded as one of the most popular and traditional crafts practiced by forebears in the past. It depends very much on the local raw materials. The weaver is a folk artist and deals with wool yarn in a simple small workshop to make tents, ropes, bags used to store grains and different kinds of carpets.
'Cage maker'
"Cage making" is a folkloric craft using the leaves of palm trees. Items made from the leaves of palm trees include baby beds, birdcages, date buckets and swings. Both green leaves and dry leaves are used by cage makers.
Leather maker
Using genuine leather is still popular today. Simple tools such as knives, scissors and awls are used in leather making to produce shoes, scabbards, buckets, belts, weapon covers and other things.
Door carpenter
Old door carpentry is one of the deep-rooted and traditional crafts in Saudi Arabian culture that is dying out during modern development.
One type of old door is made of palm tree trunks cut length-wise in strips and trimmed to its final shape. There are many doors in which no nails are used. There is another type of door called babb baher brought to the kingdom from other gulf countries.
Plastering
Plaster is one of the most important components used to paint houses. The person working in this craft is called a jassas.
Embroidery
Embroidery is one of the ancient crafts practiced by ladies. Men later entered the practice. String and needle are used to make different designs used on some women's dresses and scarves. Embroidery is also used on men's dress items such as caps and head covers as well.
Frankincense burner
Popular in most of the Kingdom's cities, the Frankincense burner is a vessel to hold frankincense for men to enjoy its good aroma. Made of wood and decorated with mirrors and brass nails, the vessels have attractive decorations and can be found in every gathering.
Cotton teaser
The cotton teaser produces a number of important items for daily life such as pillows and sitting mats using primitive wooden equipment to comb the cotton including an arrow, wax, cord and thimble. The simple tools are mostly passed from father to son.
(China Daily October 6, 2008)
