Artisans in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Baha province welcome economic boost from traditional handicraft practices

RIYADH: Al-Baha region is known for its handicraft traditions and has a large number of artisans who have been practicing their craft to preserve heritage and benefit from its economic opportunities.  

Two such artisans from the region are Mohammed bin Jamaan Al-Zahrani and Eida Ali Al-Zahrani, who are passionate about pyrography.

The two artists sculpt, paint and use calligraphic and pyrographic skills they learned from their parents and grandparents.

Mohammed has been sculpting for years, the Saudi Press Agency reported. “I used to watch my parents and grandparents practicing carpentry with their simple tools,” he said.

Carving and pyrographing on wood, he added, needs skill, accuracy and patience, because there is no room for mistakes and the process is time-consuming.

Eida uses modern painting techniques and pyrography to decorate wooden sculptures, doors and windows, inspired by Al-Baha’s nature and history.

The artists say that the Heritage Commission is interested in handicrafts and supports them by organizing workshops and other events to promote them, because their work is reflection of the region’s identity and history.

Handicrafts have also become a source of income for those who create them.

There is great interest in handicrafts in Al-Baha region where they are popular with various sectors of society and are passed down from generation to generation. Artists today are developing and modernizing the skills to keep pace with the times.