Artisans restore splendor of Taif's Okaz Avenue

An artisan carving a design in a piece of wood.

A woman making handmade prayer beads.

TAIF: Artisans restored the splendor of Souq Okaz Avenue, having come from different parts of the Kingdom to display their creative works during the ongoing 11th session of this landmark tourism event.
The avenue was lined with dozens of artisans with their carvings on wood, Sadu weaving, Arabic calligraphy and other arts.
Aisha Al-Muhqani, who has been weaving clothes since her childhood, told Arab News: “I started participating in Souq Okaz some years ago and I proudly won second place in the Okaz Award during its 10th session.”
She added that she highly values the efforts of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) to restore the traditional professions and handicrafts.
Wood-carver Hussein Abdul Wahab from Al-Ahsa, said: “The work is very exhausting and takes time, but I love it and I have my own carpentry business and make a good living for myself.”
Hussa Al-Otaibi inherited the Sadu-weaving tradition from her family, who have worked in the profession for years. Sadu weaving is mainly of colored wool and constitutes the main element in making tents.
“I started showcasing my work at festivals and events inside and outside Taif years ago. The weaving process itself involves spinning the threads. Then I use another tool called a watad (stake) and I attach the thread to another tool named the menqada and menchase for weaving. I enjoy doing all this,” she explained.
She said her project represents a success story and she participates in most festivals held in the Kingdom, including Janadriya, Okaz, productive families exhibition and the shopping tent in Taif.
Sara Al-Dousari embroidering clothes and fabrics. “The embroidery profession, just like many traditional professions, was about to vanish, but the SCTH came to its rescue by supporting the artisans and opening the doors for them to participate in such festivals and exhibitions,” she said.
The number of visitors to Souq Okaz on its second day exceeded 90,000.
The secretariat of the festival explained that the diversity of events and new elements contributed to the increase in visitor numbers, and it is expected that the number of visitors will increase in the days ahead.