FACES OF SAUDI ARABIA 2

LITTLE MAN

ARTISAN

 FRESH FROTHY CAMEL MILK

A big thank you to my friend, tour guide Mohammed at Najran Tours, for allowing me to showcase these photos for today's post.  Visit his Instagram page  @NajranTours

https://www.instagram.com/najrantours/

https://www.facebook.com/najran.tours

Our World - Saudi Style Serving

Hi Y'all!  I can't believe I have taken such a long break this year.  I recently returned to Saudi Arabia after spending a very busy summer in the USA.  Did you miss me?

This photo is of a gift I received from my husband's lovely sister.  It is a large platter shaped basket (about 2 feet across), covered with the red and white checkered scarf that Saudi men wear.  The smaller accompanying cups are made to be little Saudi characters holding baskets.  Handicrafts such as this are becoming very popular and more commonly found. I love finding things like this to take back to my family and friends as souvenirs.

Be sure to visit OUR WORLD TUESDAY, where family-friendly bloggers share a unique glimpse into what life is like all around our ever-amazing planet.

Visit Jeddah's Bastah Market

If you haven't been yet, Jeddah's Bastah Market is definitely worth the trip. Held every Friday evening now through February 16th, the atmosphere is joyous, the weather is extremely pleasant, and the food is fabulous.  Not to mention all the other dozens of vendors with their products of handmade crafts, jewelry, fragrances, clothing, and much much more.

CLICK HERE for more photos and information about Bastah Market.

CLICK HERE for a map location of Jeddah's Bastah Market.

Our World: Handmade Saudi Gifts

It's difficult finding handmade souvenirs in Saudi Arabia.  But I am happy to report that it's getting easier.  The smaller items pictured here are Saudi-made soft keychains.  The larger soft dolls are about 9" tall and they can also be used as pencils cases when unzipped and the stuffing removed.  I bought these at Aseil Restaurant on Sultan and Rawdah in Jeddah, but they may be available for sale at other places. I also purchased a little purse made of natural palm leaves and sadu fabric. These products are handmade by Saudi women for an organization called Liyano, dedicated to propagating Saudi heritage.  It supports charities and provides job opportunities for Saudi women. 

Follow them on Instagram at:  saudigifts
And don't forget to Like their Facebook page

Be sure to visit OUR WORLD TUESDAY, where family-friendly bloggers share a unique glimpse into what life is 


#saudigifts  #liyano  #KSA  #Jeddah  #heritage  #Saudi  #souvenirs  #gifts

Saudi Arabia: Artisan Jeweler

A silversmith is on hand to demonstrate his talents at the annual festival of culture and heritage in Riyadh called Janadriyah.  Many artisans displayed their skills in such dying arts as basket weaving and woodworking. I published a post on my other blog with a slideshow of photos from this year's event, which was held in April.  CLICK HERE to see it.

Janadriyah: Saudi Artisan Basket Weaver

This is another basket weaver artisan at work, demonstrating his skills at the Janadriyah Festival, which is a celebration of culture and heritage held every year in Riyadh.  I published a post on my other blog with a slideshow of photos from this year's event, which was held in April.  CLICK HERE to see it.

Janadriyah: Basket Maker

Artisans of the old arts and trades are featured at Janadriyah, the yearly celebration of culture and heritage held in Riyadh.  These arts are dying here in Saudi Arabia.  I published a post on my other blog with a slideshow of photos from this year's event, which was held in April.  CLICK HERE to see it.

Saudi Artisan: Wood Bowl Carver

The Janadriyah Festival is a cultural heritage festival held every year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  This year the festival attracted a record high six million visitors during the month of April - and I was one of them!  I was fortunate that I happened to be in Riyadh and attended with my fellow blogger and friend, Layla who, like me, writes two blogs about living in Saudi Arabia:  Blue Abaya and her photo blog, Images of Saudi. 

Traditional handicrafts are a fading art in Saudi Arabia, however there are still some artisans who try to keep the trades alive. The man in this post is a wood carver and his specialty is bowls.  Here are some other articles about the Janadriyah Festival.

Arab News: A Record 6 Million Visit Janadriyah Festival


Splendid Arabia: Janadriyah and the Festival of Heritage

Arab News:  Traditional handmade headbands set trend at Janadriyah Festival

Blue Abaya: Expats Guide to Janadriyah

Blue Abaya: Why I love Janadriyah

Blue Abaya: Top Ten Things to do at Janadriyah 

Today is the first of the month, which means it's theme day for City Daily Photo bloggers.  City Daily Photo is an online community of photo bloggers from around the world, sharing the wonders of their area of the world pictorially with others.  Each month there are different themes that CDP members can participate in.  This month's theme is "The Creative Artisan"  

Please visit the City Daily Photo portal to view other participants' entries for today's theme day of "The Creative Artisan."