Saudi women weave legacy of traditional goat hair tents

In the heart of Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region, elderly women skillfully craft traditional goat-hair tents. (SPA)

• Working with traditional tools like the “mitraq” (hammer) and “awtar” (strings), the artisans create tents of varying sizes and colors

RIYADH: In the heart of Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region, a time-honored tradition continues to thrive as winter approaches.

Here, elderly women skillfully craft traditional goat-hair tents, known locally as “buyut al-sha’ar” — a living symbol of Saudi hospitality.

According to a report by the Saudi Press Agency, the traditional craft relies on goat and sheep hair, provided by the abundant livestock in the region, which includes more than 7 million heads of camels and cattle.

Working with traditional tools like the “mitraq” (hammer) and “awtar” (strings), the artisans create tents of varying sizes and colors.

“Depending on the craftswoman’s experience, a single tent can take anywhere from three days to a week to complete,” Umm Nada told SPA in an interview.

The making of the tent is a practice that carries immense cultural significance. As the women work, they recite traditional verses of poetry.

The finished tents fetch anywhere from SR1,600 ($427) to SR6,000 ($1,600), depending on size and decorative elements.

These traditional tents are experiencing renewed popularity among local families who set them up for excursions and picnics in the natural landscape.

The northern region’s moderate climate has made these tents particularly appealing to outdoor enthusiasts.