Cultural Experience while Travelling across Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a land of rich culture, deep roots of history and religious significance. Millions of Muslims start their journey towards this holy land for the spiritual pilgrimage of Umrah. Every year Muslims from several Cities like London, Manchester and Birmingham head towards the holy land solely with the intention of Umrah. The Islamic travel facilitates these Muslims with the Umrah packages with tour guide which are meant to manage all the logistics and documentation related to the pilgrimage and travel.
Beyond the sacred ritual and holy sites, there is a treasure of cultural richness which yet awaits to be discovered by the visitors and tourists. There are many taxi and transport services that can give you a glimpse of the diverse heritage and landmarks of Saudi Arabia.
There are various aspects of Saudi Arabia that one can discover apart from the holy sites and religious places described in this guide.
Heritage and Tradition
The old Jeddah city, also known as Jeddah Al-Balad district, is a place where the culture thrives. If you want to take a deep dive into the traditional side of the kingdom, then you must pay a visit to the district of Al-Balad. It is the district of narrow alleys and buildings that are built by coral-stone. These alleys are a bustling with the souks that are fragrant with the locally harvested spices and the artifacts that has been crafted by the local artisans of the city.
In the month of Ramadan these streets are bustling with the night markets. If you want to enjoy the vibrant experience of the night markets than you must pay a visit to Jeddah Al-Balad in this holy month. The Islamic travel offers February Umrah Packages to facilitate the pilgrims with the affordable packages during the Ramadan season as it is the peak time and everything including flights, travel and accommodation is pretty expensive.
The Artistic Oases
The art enthusiasts may find the contemporary art scene of Riyadh as a mesmerizing sight. The Masmak fortress stands proudly amidst the modern skyline, preserving the history while the art galleries showcase the contemporary side of Saudi Arabia.
Natural Wonders
The natural beauty of Saudi Arabia is equally diverse as its cultural heritage. Whether it is the crystalline waters of the Red Sea combined with the marine life and coral reefs or the majestic deserts of the Rab’al Khali, which are also known as the, “Empty Quarter”, the nature lovers can find all the mesmerizing scenes that they can think of.
Cultural Festivals
The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a diverse country when it comes to cultural festivities. There are several cultural celebrations such as,
- Janadriyah Festival showcase
- Music Festivals
- Dance and Crafts
Tourists can seamlessly access these celebrations which can enhance their cultural knowledge and immersion.
Saudi Arabian Food
Apart from history and urban structures, Riyadh also rules the hearts for its food. There is a large variety of cuisines available from around the world but the local dishes have an exotic, warm and hearty taste that will rule the heart and stomachs of the tourists. Some of the national dishes of the region are mentioned below.
a) Kabsa
Kabsa is the national dish of the kingdom and is made with fragrant rice, seasoned meat and nuts. It is not only favorite among the locals but is loved by the visitors as well.
b) Mandi
Mandi is also a meat and rice dish. In this meat is marinated and then slow cooked to perfection. This is usually served with rice.
c) Samboosa
This is a crispy golden pastry which is filled with a savory meat and vegetable filling.
d) Harees
Harees is a creamy dish which is made by blending wheat and meat together until they form a fine and smooth paste. This dish is especially served during Ramadan.
Culinary Customs
Meals are shared here and meal times are treated more like a bonding session. The food is usually served in big platters and are meant to be shared with others on the table. It is a norm to eat with the right hand and sharing the food is not only encouraged but is the whole point of the meal time.
Music
The music is an essential part of any country’s culture and tradition. The rhythms of Saudi Arabia are come in different forms starting from traditional, folk, modern and everything that comes in between. The music in Saudi Arabia is mainly divided into two genres.
a) Traditional Music
Traditional Saudi music is deeply tied to cultural and tribal celebrations. Al-Saihba and Al-Ardah are mainly two dances that are more than just performances. These are the community experiences that often feature sword dancing and is a glimpse of powerful display of unity.
b) Modern Influences
In today’s date the music scene in Riyadh is embracing the global vocals and beats. Artists are adding the electronic layers to traditional instruments.
Celebrations and Festivals
There are many celebrations that are held in Riyadh but Eid-ul-Fitr and National day are the most prominent ones.
- Eid-ul-Fitr, which occurs at the end of Ramadan is a joyful countdown feasts, family visits and gift-giving. The city turns alive with the decorations and markets.
- Occurring on the 23rd September every year, Riyadh bursts with green color including fireworks, parades, live shows and cultural performances that fill the street.
Saudi Arabia is not just a stopover destination but is a living museum and theme park all in one.
