attractions SHOPPING
Items are largely locally
sourced: fruit and vegetables are grown in gardens, poultry is either bred or hunted and perfumes are derived from local fl owers, while honey is harvested within the area. Even the ironware, such as traditional swords and other weapons, along with agricultural tools, are made domestically according to traditional methods. The biggest and most popular
4 For something traditional,
the Eastern Region offers a more cultural retail experience with permanent and mobile markets selling a range of fare from hand- crafted items and antique-style ornaments to domestic birds that are sold as pets. These lively marketplaces also provide some of the best places to learn more about the region’s vibrant culture. Among the best is the busy and
bustling El Hob Souq, which is a popular attraction for visitors. There’s also the Thursday Market in Al Nasiriyah where merchants sell traditional goods, local ghee, herbal incense and pots, as well as dates, coffee, cardamom, domestic birds and even cattle.
AL BAHA One of Saudi Arabia’s fastest- growing tourist regions in the southwest of the country, Al Baha has beautiful mountains and forests located 200 kilometres south of Makkah. In this province, each of the souks is named after the day of the week on which they are open. The range of products sold is diverse, from fruit and vegetables to spices, tea and local handicrafts.
110 4 Rugs are popular purchases
5 Making an authentic handmade jambia, the traditional dagger
NAJRAN For something more eye-catching and unusual, head south to Najran, which borders Yemen, where the locals wear bright, multi-coloured, sarong-like outer garments (izars), paired with black embroidered jackets. This region is famed for its honey, although handicrafts, folklore and traditional dances also thrive here. Najran is also one of the last remaining places in Saudi Arabia where you can still fi nd an authentic handmade jambia, the traditional dagger.
5
souk in the region is Souk Al-Khamis (Thursday Market). The Friday Market (Souk Al-Jumaa) is held in the Al-Aqia district; the Tuesday Market (Souk Al-Thalatha) is held in Al-Makhwah on the main road linking Al Baha with Al Makhwah; and there are four Saturday markets (Souq Al-Sabt) held in Beljarchi (the largest), Rama, Al Mandaq, Al-Rouma and Al-Jardaa.
Among the time-honoured shop-
ping venues in Najran, Souq Al-Nisa’a, the women’s souk, is the only one of its kind in the province. It sells a range of items, including clothing, toiletries, spices, incense and perfumes and some household objects. Souq Al-Jambia, or Souq Al
Khanajer, is the only souk in the kingdom that specialises in locally made daggers. Because of the signifi - cance of the jambia in Najrani culture, this small souk of around 20 traders is an essential part of any itinerary. The proximity to traders grinding and selling fl our in a nearby shop adds even more of a local fl avour. Souq Al-Kharrazeen retails
leather goods, while Souq Al-Tamr is known for seasonal dates and Souq Al-Hadadin for ironware. Souq Al-Shabi in Aba Al Saud
has recently been renovated with a number of shops all selling popular items such as gold and silver jewellery, textiles, leather goods and wood carvings. Particularly appealing are the colourful hand- woven baskets and handicrafts. Souq Al-Ethnain, the Monday market, is now formalised on a site near the Ibn Mahdi Palace. Souq Al-Sabet is held every Saturday. In addition to shopping, the region
is a recognised centre for the arts and hosts the annual Abha Festival where visitors can enjoy folklore plays, poetry readings and traditional dancing, which includes the Razfa, a male dance associ- ated with feast and marriage.
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