Saudi Arabia's Flower Men: The Festival Rooted In Heritage (image/visitsaudi)
In the southern region of Saudi Arabia, a rare and beautiful cultural phenomenon has been blossoming for centuries. The ‘Flower Men’ of Saudi Arabia, residing near the Asir Province, are a sight to behold. The people represent their culture, identity, tradition, and nature by adorning flower crowns and celebrating their customs.
History Of The Tradition
Believed to be one of the oldest communities in the Arabian Peninsula, the Qahtanis adorned themselves with traditional headdresses made of a variety of flowers and herbs. Depending on the occasion—public or religious event—the flowers would change. Some would wear it to look nice, others would wear it because it smells divine, while some others would wear the crowns for medicinal purposes (like treating a headache). They came to be known as Flower Men.
(image-X/MOCSaudi)
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Residing in the southwestern region of the Kingdom, the Flower Men predominately reside in the remote village of Rijal Alma. Crafted using herbs and flowers native to the Asir region, the flower crowns stand as a symbol of the communities’ culture and identity. With skills such as precision, skill, delicacy, and patience required, the process of crafting the floral creations goes beyond traditions.
(image-X/MOCSaudi)
For the flowermen of the region, the festival is a way to connect with culture and nature. Orange and burgundy colours stand out in the flower wreaths, which last for up to 2 to 3 days. Some Southern families practice crown making, an essential business for them. The Flowermen festival brings art, dance, and storytelling for both local and international visitors.
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(image-X/MOCSaudi)
The Flowermen Festival
The tradition is so deeply rooted in the culture of the region that the Saudi Ministry of Culture declared an annual ‘Flowerman Festival’ in 2019. Thousands of tourists from across the globe gather around to witness the variety of headdresses and experience the cultural practices of the south region. If you are looking to immerse yourself in the culture of Saudi, then starting from the Flowermen Festival is the best start.
