Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s unification in 1932 marked the creation of a modern state and safeguarded a deep well of traditions that continue to define its identity.
These customs — rooted in faith, shaped by geography, and handed down through generations — reflect the Kingdom’s resilience and sense of community.
On the 95th National Day, they stand as reminders that the story of Saudi Arabia is also the story of its people’s way of life.
Generosity lies at the heart of Saudi traditions. Hospitality, expressed in the offering of coffee, dates, and open homes to guests, has long been a marker of social bonds.
In the desert, where survival once depended on trust and mutual support, welcoming the stranger became both necessity and virtue.
To this day, serving Arabic coffee — poured from a dallah pot into small finjan cups — remains a symbol of honor, pride, and cultural continuity.
Poetry occupies a central place in Saudi culture, especially in Najd and the Arabian deserts where verses were recited around campfires and at gatherings.
Known as the “diwan of the Arabs,” poetry preserved history, chronicled battles, and praised leaders.
King Abdulaziz himself was celebrated in poems that captured his courage, wisdom, and vision.
This oral tradition ensured that the values of bravery, loyalty, and unity would be remembered long after the battles had passed.
Traditional dress reflects both climate and heritage. For men, the thobe and head covering — whether ghutra or shemagh held by the black agal — express modesty and continuity.
Women’s traditional attire, varying by region, has included colorful abayas, embroidered dresses, and intricate jewelry.
These garments not only provided practical protection in harsh environments but also carried meanings of identity and belonging.
The Saudi table has always reflected abundance and sharing. Dishes such as kabsa, jareesh, and qursan symbolize the blending of grain, meat, and spices into meals meant for communal enjoyment.
Camel milk, dates, and wheat-based bread were staples in the desert.
Feasts remain central to weddings, religious celebrations, and national holidays, reinforcing the social importance of food as a unifier of families and communities.
Faith has shaped Saudi customs in profound ways. Daily prayers, Ramadan fasting, Eid festivities, and Hajj pilgrimages form part of the spiritual rhythm of life.
National celebrations, too, carry echoes of tradition, poetry recitations, sword dances such as the ardah, and folk songs have long accompanied festivals, binding together past and present.
While modern life has introduced new habits, the essence of Saudi traditions endures.
Hospitality is still a marker of respect. Poetry continues to inspire through both traditional verses and modern forms.
Dress has adapted to contemporary styles, yet retains its cultural roots. Food remains a bridge between generations.
These customs, preserved and adapted over decades, remain central to Saudi identity as the nation celebrates its 95th National Day.
