RIYADH: The exhibition “Roads of Arabia: Archaeological treasures of Saudi Arabia through the ages” takes center stage in Tokyo on Monday.
Organized by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), the exhibition will show Saudi Arabia in its various stages of cultural development through the ages.
“The Kingdom has been known for being the land of Islam, its economy, its major role in the political field and for being an oil supplier. However, it also has a rich cultural heritage,” Majed Al-Sheddi, mass media department manager at SCTH, told Arab News from Tokyo on Sunday.
He said that preparations have been completed for the exhibition in collaboration with the Japanese National Museum and the Saudi Embassy in Tokyo.
He noted that SCTH President Prince Sultan bin Salman started the exhibition and continued developing it through the years, adding that the show has drawn some 3 million visitors in the US, Europe and Asia.
He added that the SCTH chief will deliver a video message during the opening of the exhibition, which is expected to be well-attended by people who have heard and read much about it.
“The exhibition is an official cultural event in Japan, where it’s considered an important event and the largest exhibition of its kind in showcasing Saudi Arabia’s vast cultural diversity that includes rare archaeological items,” he said.
He added that the exhibition would display 466 rare archaeological items.
The exhibition includes the Paleolithic age to the period of antiquity, the civilizations of Arab kingdoms, through the Islamic period until the emergence of the Saudi state with its three phases, to the era of King Abdul Aziz, founder of the modern Saudi state.
Saudi cultural exhibition gets underway in Tokyo
Saudi cultural exhibition gets underway in Tokyo
Najran’s camels are embedded in local culture and traditions
- Several distinct camel breeds are found in the region
- Animals permeate Arab consciousness, says expert
RIYADH: In Najran, camels are not only a vital livestock resource but also a cornerstone of local identity and tradition.
According to Hadi Benyan Al-Amer, head of Najran’s Camel Association, the region has several distinct camel breeds.
Principal among them is the Awarik, an ancient Arabian lineage linked to territories where arak trees flourish, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
These light-colored, sparsely-haired camels possess remarkable resilience, and are prevalent across southern Arabia.
The Majahim are characterized by dark hues spanning black to brown, and excel in both milk yield and endurance.
The Asayil are prized for their sleek, lean physiques, and dominate in speed-based competitions.
Al-Amer said traditional water sources known as Odood, or traditional water wells and artesian wells, have sustained herders navigating the Empty Quarter’s grazing lands for generations.
These permanent water points, equipped with dedicated drinking basins for camels, showcase the animals’ extraordinary environmental resilience.
Among the principal wells accessible from Najran are Al-Minkhali, Abu Shadid, Hamra Nathil, Tamani, Umm Al-Wahat, and Khujaima.
Countless additional wells dot the Empty Quarter and adjacent territories, forming the backbone of camel owners’ far-reaching pastoral networks.
Dr. Hind bint Dawood Al-Shuqair of Najran University’s Arabic Language Department explained how camels have permeated Arab consciousness through legends and stories spanning thousands of years.
Representing endurance, power, and grace, they have become inseparable from Arab cultural identity.
Archaeological evidence at Al-Ukhdood, Mount Al-Tharwa and Hima, preserves through carvings and ancient artwork the deep bond between people and camels, Al-Shuqair said.
She drew attention to Saudi Arabia’s substantial investment in camel heritage, exemplified by proclaiming 2024 as the Year of the Camel.
This designation emphasizes their importance to national prosperity and cultural heritage while backing global initiatives to promote awareness of camels as valuable economic and cultural assets.
The Kingdom further demonstrates its commitment to protecting the animals through the annual King Abdulaziz Festival, the SPA reported.
