For more than a decade, the traditional market in Arar has empowered women artisans and preserved the Bedouin heritage of Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region
The traditional market in Arar stands as one of the Northern Borders Region’s most prominent cultural and social landmarks. For more than 12 years, it has operated as a permanent venue dedicated to showcasing women’s handicrafts and local heritage. The market greatly supports many elderly craftswomen and their granddaughters, allocating them places to display their products and handicrafts. Market supervisor Namiyah Al-Anzi explained that the site provides free training courses for female cooks and artisans in commercial practices, financial saving awareness, digital marketing, and self-development.
Visitors find 44 shops designed in an architectural style inspired by the northern environment. The site also includes Al-Khuzama Hall, which trains productive families and develops their production and marketing skills. Dozens of women participate year-round, offering handmade products such as Sadu weaving, embroidery, wool crafts, perfume and incense making, as well as traditional homemade dishes that reflect the local culinary heritage. Artisans Umm Nada and Umm Sultan confirmed that their participation in the market has expanded their business reach and increased demand for their products.
The market draws strong attendance during weekends, national occasions, and the winter season. During Ramadan, families in the cottage industry compete to prepare popular dishes using manual churning and cooking over wood fires, which preserves authentic flavour and ensures wide demand. Looking ahead, the market continues to welcome new generations of artisans through its free training programmes, offering a sustainable path forward where heritage skills secure economic independence and cultural traditions thrive for years to come.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
