DAMMAM: The 10th session of a UNESCO committee, held in Namibia, has agreed to put the Saudi Ardah dance on the list of World Intangible Heritage.
Ardah is a type of folkloric dance. The dance is performed with two rows of men opposite each other, each of whom may or may not be wielding swords or canes, and is accompanied by drums and spoken poetry.
Originally, the ardah was performed only by males of the Shammar tribe of the central Najd region before going to war, but nowadays it is performed at celebrations, weddings, and national and cultural events by all tribes, such as the Janadriyah festival.
Adela bint Abdullah, chairwoman of the Saudi Heritage Preservation Society (SHPS), said: “This success was a result of a complementary work between the governmental bodies represented by the Ministry of Culture and Information and the Ministry of Education through permanent representation at UNESCO and civil society organizations as represented by the SHPS.”
She added that the SHPS has worked with communities and individuals in the documentation and registration for this element with other elements of intangible heritage to protect this important aspect of heritage from extinction, indicating that the SHPS objective is centered on community and integrative work, dissemination of pride in identity, and preservation of the Saudi heritage.
“This experience is part of the cooperation between the SHPS and the Ministry of Culture and Information to prepare the files for registration in the World Intangible Heritage List, through the collection of material, its documentation and registration of its practitioners within its role as a civil society organization,” she said.
Ardah on UNESCO World Heritage list
Ardah on UNESCO World Heritage list
Experimental farm in Al-Lith looks into future of Saudi Arabian agriculture
- Research initiative reflects strategic transformation
JEDDAH: An experimental farm in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Lith Governorate is one of the research initiatives reflecting the strategic transformation taking place in the Kingdom’s agricultural sector.
The farm uses highly efficient, sustainable production models that combine scientific research with commercial application, contributing to strengthening the country’s food security system and the sustainability of water resources.
Located in the Ghumaiqa Center on an area of about 10 hectares, the cutting-edge farm is a testing platform for modern agricultural technologies that tackle the challenge of water scarcity.
The farm includes developed open fields and modern greenhouses, supported by smart irrigation encompassing drip and sprinkler irrigation alongside surface and subsurface technologies.
All the systems operate via smart controls that enable the monitoring of water consumption and ensure improved efficiency, thereby achieving a balance between agricultural production and water conservation.
The farm also uses treated and diluted low-salinity seawater.
It aims to diversify agricultural water sources, reduce reliance on freshwater, and open new horizons for agriculture in coastal and semi-arid environments.
The project represents a promising investment opportunity in the field of smart agriculture, enabling the development of commercially scalable production models, particularly for high-value vegetables and fruits, while reducing operational costs associated with water and energy, enhancing the economic feasibility of future agricultural projects.
In addition, the project contributes to transferring and localizing agricultural expertise, supporting local food supply chains, and creating an attractive environment for agricultural investment.
This aligns with Sustainable Development Goals and enhances the efficiency of the private sector in adopting innovative agricultural solutions.
Yahya bin Abdulrahman Al-Mahabi, the director of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture office in Al-Lith Governorate, told the Saudi Press Agency that the project represented the future of agriculture in the Kingdom.
He explained that the vision was based on investing in technology, enhancing the return on water per unit, and integrating scientific research with investment opportunities.
Al-Mahabi spoke of the experimental farm as a modern, scalable and replicable model applicable in several regions of the Kingdom, particularly in coastal environments.
Al-Mahabi highlighted the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture’s commitment to supporting distinctive projects that contributed to achieving food security while developing rural areas and enhancing agricultural production efficiency, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
