RIYADH: Each region of the Kingdom preserves customs passed down through generations.

Muqana bread is a staple of Baha’s traditional cuisine, and local artisans prepare the dish at markets and heritage festivals, “drawing large crowds,” according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

Recognized as the region’s official dish by Saudi Arabia’s Culinary Arts Commission, muqana bread is prized for its distinctive flavor. At the recent eighth Alatawelah Heritage Festival there was a muqana pavilion, at which visitors could watch the bread being made.

Traditional bread maker Ahmed Al-Shuyukh explained that the dough, made from wheat flour, is flattened into a circle, baked on a heated rock, then covered with a clay or metal lid and buried in hot ash and embers until cooked.

This traditional method gives the bread a distinct smoky flavor and crisp texture, and it is often served with ghee, honey, or yogurt, Al-Shuyukh told the SPA.

The festival “supports local artisans in the preservation of folk heritage, and promotes cultural tourism,” according to the SPA.

Another section of the festival “celebrated the traditional work of women, showcasing their historic contributions to family and community life,” by featuring presentations of food preparation, wool spinning, basket and mat weaving, and firewood collection.

“Young girls demonstrated these skills for visitors, offering a glimpse into rural life of the past,” the SPA added.