The Flower Men of Saudi Arabia — a beacon of history and culture

From mountainous and beautiful Asir come the Flower Men — a people descended from ancient tribes whose traditions date back for centuries. They reside in Rijal Almaa, an ancient village in Saudi Arabia’s southwestern region, and are an integral feature of this cultural hotspot, which will now become the focus of its own cultural festival.
The Flower Men use tourism, and the culture of their region, to their advantage — tours and ceremony demonstrations are the bedrock for multiple businesses.
Their name comes from their unique colorful floral headpieces. Some wear them in celebration, particularly on public or religious holidays, or for festivals and at other special occasions, while some do so for medicinal purposes, choosing herbs and greens to stave off headaches and sinusitis.
They are an essential part of Saudi Arabia’s rich and diverse cultural history. This is why the Ministry of Culture is organizing a festival centering on them and their region.
It will start on August 12 as part of Al-Souda Season, and will provide visitors with a vivid experience of the history of the Flower Men through live folk performances, art and poetry nights, and a heritage market.
As we continuously promote the unique cultures across our beautiful land, an opportunity arises for anyone and everyone to explore, engage, learn from one another, and be inspired from every region in the Kingdom and across the globe.
The festival also presents great opportunities for the Kingdom. Festivals like the Flower Men’s will attract visitors and tourists from across the country, region and the world, to one of Saudi Arabia’s most treasured heritage sites. The cultural sector represents a powerful engine for economic growth — and the ministry is capitalizing on this, to help contribute to the realization of Vision 2030’s diversification objective.
Under the leadership of Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al- Saud, the ministry will showcase and highlight the best of Saudi culture — unlocking hidden treasures and encouraging cultural enrichment.
This festival is another step in our nation’s cultural journey — a journey that promises to enrich lives and showcase our beautiful and rich culture to the world. We should be proud of our people for their extraordinary efforts in utilizing platforms such as these festivals to creatively express themselves, and continue to support and encourage cultural exploration and exchange.

Abdulkarim Alhumaid is a public relations manager and spokesman at the Ministry of Culture.