All traditional arts

A visual and cultural journey through Saudi identity — its handicrafts, its performing arts, and its enduring earthen architecture.

Performing Arts

Al-Samri

A traditional folk song performed in a group to drum and chant, one of the heritage arts tied to celebrations in parts of the Kingdom.
Bookbinding & Gilding

Bookbinding & Gilding

A handicraft that binds books and manuscripts and adorns them with fine gold ornament, devoted to keeping texts safe from one generation to the next.
Traditional Building

Earthen Building & Gypsum Ornament

A traditional craft of adorning homes with geometric gypsum carving and ornament drawn from Najdi heritage.
Textile Crafts

Hasawi Bisht Making

A time-honoured craft of Al-Ahsa built on fine tailoring and hand embroidery in zari thread, producing a bisht that joins quality of making with beauty of detail and reflects the authenticity of Saudi heritage.
Leatherwork

Leather Stitching & Shoemaking

A handicraft of shaping leather and decorating it with stitching and detail inspired by local heritage.
Leatherwork

Leather Tanning

A heritage craft of cleaning and treating hides by traditional methods, turning them into leather fit for tools and everyday goods.

Explore, and be part of the experience

At the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts we believe that safeguarding our cultural heritage begins with passing it to the next generation — teaching its particular beauty, and taking pride in it as a foundation for a future we share.

Explore the programmes