Laila Saleh Albassam is the first Saudi professor to have studied the heritage of traditional Arab costumes and textiles in Saudi Arabia.
She was awarded the King Salman Prize of Excellence for Research and Studies on the Arabian Peninsula History for her contribution to documenting the traditional costumes of Saudi Arabia through her academic research.
Al-Bassam is a professor of the history of clothing and textiles at Princess Noura bint Abdul Rahman University, with more than 40 years’ experience in academia.
She has published several studies on traditional costumes from the Kingdom’s various regions, and has participated in numerous national and international lectures and symposiums, and organized multiple exhibits on traditional Saudi dress.
She also has served for more than a decade on the advisory board of the National Museum in Riyadh. She participated as a member of the board of the Saudi Heritage Preservation Society for three years, served as the president of the Saudi Association of Design and Art for another three years, and was head of the Saudi chapter of the International Organization of Folk Art affiliated with UNESCO.
One of her most important publications is “The Effects of the Environment on Costumes and Embroidered Handicrafts in Najd Desert Tribes,” and Al-Bassam also contributed a chapter to the encyclopedia “Embroidery in the Middle East” titled “Embroidery in Saudi Arabia” with Dr. Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood, the director of the Textile Research Center in the Netherlands.
She wrote a brochure on traditional costumes in Saudi Arabia that was published in German and English and distributed at traditional costume fairs.
Who’s Who: Lailah Saleh Al-Bassam, Saudi professor
https://arab.news/yy5ub
Who’s Who: Lailah Saleh Al-Bassam, Saudi professor
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.
