RIYADH: From the intricate Sadu weaving of Najd to the mountainous wicker crafts of Al-Baha and the delicate woodwork of Hijazi architecture, Saudi Arabia’s “Year of Handicrafts” is a national effort to commemorate, support and preserve the Kingdom’s diverse cultural heritage.

“The Year of Handicrafts has a great impact on traditional handicrafts,” Dr. Dalia Al-Yahya, head of the handicraft sector at the Ministry of Culture’s Heritage Commission and general manager of the Year of Handicrafts, told Arab News.

“It sheds light on the artisans, on the handmade works and on the richness that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is known for.”

Driven by Vision 2030, the Year of Handicrafts is a strategic initiative to honor and preserve Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage through the time-honored tradition of passed-down crafts.

“I believe that handicrafts, this year, have an impact on two different areas,” said Al-Yahya.

“The first area is related to preserving these traditional crafts and enhancing the identity of citizens and the sense of belonging to the region, especially since the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is characterized by the richness and diversity of its traditional crafts.

“In the other area, this year aims to enhance the status of artisans, train them and market their products, and sheds greater light on them as entrepreneurs in this field, in addition to the institutions and associations that work in the field of handicrafts.”

The Year of Handicrafts is part of a broader series of cultural years that have previously focused on topics such as Arabic calligraphy and poetry, Saudi coffee, and camels.

It aims to achieve several key objectives, such as enhancing cultural identity, empowering local artisans, promoting Saudi crafts globally, and connecting with artisans and the local and international community.

Under Vision 2030, the Heritage Commission is actively working to preserve the Kingdom’s handicrafts from each region while also sparking an entrepreneurial spirit in artisans to build a sustainable future.

The commission has dedicated a handicrafts sector that works to develop regulations, train artisans and market their products locally and internationally.

“The heritage authority has worked on many initiatives to empower artisans. The most important of these is the craft licenses,” said Al-Yahya.

Under their online platform, Ibda’a, the commission issues licenses to individual artisans and craft businesses. As of 2025, there are 4,855 licensed artisans.

A project called “Artisans House” serves as a space for raising awareness, training and developing traditional craft products while another scheme to preserve handicrafts includes the Saudi International Handicrafts Week, “Banan.”

This aims to highlight Saudi Arabia’s heritage by promoting cultural exchange with other countries, of which more than 25 took part in the early editions. The third will be launched in November, with a focus on introducing and marketing handicrafts.

“Approximately more than 500 exhibitors, both local and international, are participating,” said Al-Yahya.

Handicrafts serve as an authentic cultural lens into a region’s identity, with each piece drawing inspiration from its diverse landscapes and local surroundings. These crafts often use specific materials native to their area.

Al-Yahya highlighted the diversity to Arab News.

“If we look at coastal crafts, such as in some areas like Yanbu, Al-Qatif, and other coastal areas, these crafts are always related to the water that exists in the place, such as the craft of fishing nets, the manufacture of wooden ships, or even jewelry and gems related to shells or pearls and other crafts,” she said.

“If we take the mountainous regions, for example in Asir, we see that the crafts are related to this location, such as stone utensils, wooden boxes, wool and others that can withstand the cold of the weather and the geographical location.”

In the northern reaches of the kingdom, the traditional skill of Al-Naddafa, or wool and cotton processing, transforming raw materials into bedding and quilts, has long been practiced

Further south in the Najran region, a different kind of artistry thrives. The crafting of the Janbiya, a ceremonial dagger, is a skill passed down through generations.

These daggers serve as cultural symbols, each one featuring an intricately decorated blade and a sheath often covered in local leather or silver, worn with a leather belt.

In the green mountainous region of Al-Baha, wicker craft is a deep-rooted tradition, primarily practiced by women. Using locally sourced plants, they weave a variety of functional, everyday items, from baskets and bags to furniture, blending practicality with artistry.

And in the Hijaz region, woodwork known as Al-Rawasheen, has had a deep impact on the area’s historic architecture. It is visible in the decorative wooden protrusions on buildings in cities like Jeddah, Makkah, and Taif and, beyond the design, these structures serve a practical purpose — providing shade, privacy, and airflow in the hot climate.

Another example of a Saudi handicraft is Sadu weaving, recognized by UNESCO, which uses yarn made from sheep wool, camel hair, and goat hair to create blankets and other items featuring distinct symbols inspired by the desert.

Al-Yahya said the work led by the Heritage Commission also contributed to supporting the local economy by increasing artisans’ income.

“The biggest challenge we faced was balancing the need to find or preserve the authenticity of handicrafts with the current market needs,” she said.

“However, at the Heritage Commission we’ve launched many initiatives to strengthen this aspect and preserve the authenticity of these crafts.”

She said the commission’s “Craft Houses” initiative empowered craftspeople to create new designs, blending traditional heritage with modern standards.

“We have over 14 craft houses across the Kingdom, and each one focuses on the crafts found in its region,” she said.

“By reviving these crafts, there has been greater marketing for these traditional products, especially from visitors from outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. So every visitor wants to get a piece connected to this place.”