Traditional Crafts Of Saudi Arabia

Covering the costumes, equipment, and artefacts of the Bedouin of Saudi Arabia, it examines the work of jewellery makers, leather workers, basket weavers, carpenters and metal workers, with color photographs to illustrate each example. In the text provides a sense of the traditional lifestyle and ethnology of this people.

This is a new issue of an acknowledged classic in the field of Saudi Arabian desert crafts. With new photographs and updated text, it has already become the standard work for a new generation of Arabian enthusiasts. Covering the costumes, equipment, and artefacts of the Bedouin of Saudi Arabia, it examines the work of jewellery makers, leather workers, basket weavers, carpenters and metal workers, with stunning colour photographs to illustrate each example. In the engaging text, written by experts in the field, we get a real sense of the traditional lifestyle and ethnology of this enigmatic people. The majority of the costumes, jewellery and weavings shown in this book belong to John Topham, whose important collection has been exhibited throughout the USA and Arabia.

This is a new issue of an acknowledged classic in the field of Saudi Arabian desert crafts. With new photographs and updated text, it has already become the standard work for a new generation of Arabian enthusiasts. Covering the costumes, equipment, and artefacts of the Bedouin of Saudi Arabia, it examines the work of jewellery makers, leather workers, basket weavers, carpenters and metal workers, with stunning colour photographs to illustrate each example. In the engaging text, written by experts in the field, we get a real sense of the traditional lifestyle and ethnology of this enigmatic people. The majority of the costumes, jewellery and weavings shown in this book belong to John Topham, whose important collection has been exhibited throughout the USA and Arabia.

Throughout the history of civilization, the Saudi Arabian desert has been a cradle of culture, tradition and heritage; the same is true of the Kingdom today. From handloom Sadu weaving and fine jewelry making, to regional Asiri wall painting and intricate woodcarving, the region is brimming with sophisticated craft practices that continue to inspire creativity in the arts and culture of the Middle East and beyond.

This extremely timely and helpful ready reference will familiarize all students and readers with the Gulf region and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Dubai, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Yemen, and Qatar. These states are bound by the desert culture, the Gulf, new oil economy, and Islam, to name some commonalities. Most Americans know something about the region, such as oases, dates, camels, oil, Bedouin tribes, and the legends of Lawrence of Arabia to Osama bin Laden. Islamic concepts and practices are still unfamiliar. On one extreme, Saudi Arabia, the cradle of Islam, has been largely closed off to Western tourists. On the other extreme, Dubai courts tourist dollars as it constructs modern architectural showcases. This is the first A-Z encyclopedia to focus on the Gulf, illuminating the land, people, religion, culture and traditions, institutions, economy, and much more for general readers. The more than 200 essay entries have a current focus with historical context as necessary. The breadth of coverage means that this resource will be of use for a wide range of researchers and browsers. Besides individual entries on each state, major cities and regions are also profiled. The natural environment and human adaptation to it receives significant space. Islamic customs and rules and various interpretations are clearly explained. Essays on topics such as key public figures, institutions, major events, politics, and state structures—some based on sources often not available in English—make this two-volume set the first-choice resource for accurate information. Suggestions for further reading accompany most entries; a chronology, selected bibliography, and photos also complement the text.