3 Banan – Iman Hammoud Al-Shammari

Iman Hammoud Al-Shammari

Craft is considered one of the most important roots that the state adheres to as a history and cultural heritage that enhances national identity. Craft has been linked to being an indication of man’s existence. A place with a craft means the existence of life, because it originated with him as one of his needs and a means of continuing his daily life. It is no secret to us that God designated some of the prophets with specific crafts: such as armor-making, carpentry, construction, and sewing, as a tribute to them, and an indication of the honor of the craft, which indicates its virtue and high status, as a skill that a person learns. He teaches it to others and earns a living from it, as God Almighty says: {And We taught him the craft of clothing} which is the craft of making iron armor that protects people in wars.

I was pleased to find this interest in crafts from the Heritage Authority, under the patronage of the Minister of Culture, His Highness Prince Badr Al-Farhan, which highlighted the importance and status of crafts, and devoted an entire exhibition to them for the third year in a row, encouraging handicrafts and emphasizing their presence despite the encroachment and control of technology. I visited the Banan 2025 exhibition, which was held this year in the outdoor courtyard of Princess Noura University, with the participation of more than 40 countries, and included more than 200 local craftsmen, in addition to more Of the 20 partners, the People’s Republic of China was the guest of honor for this edition.

I wandered around the corners of the exhibition, and was amazed by the exhibits that varied between straw and Sadu crafts by Saudi male and female artists, in addition to the soap industry and artistic paintings made of wood, bearing Najdi and Hejazi gates with elaborate creative work, which would not have stood out had it not been for such an opportunity, as male and female participants came from various regions of the Kingdom, carrying their crafts and exhibits that reflect the culture of Saudi Arabia in its various details and rich diversity.

A remarkable public presence included dance performances with bands roaming among the crowds, concluding the last day with the Samaritan dance, and dancing performances of Chinese culture in a dragon costume that brought back memories of China. Watching them, I felt as if I was wandering in one of the streets of Beijing… a mixture of cultures coming together on the land of Riyadh, attracting all groups, nationalities and ages and uniting their idea that whoever has no past has no present either. Such events draw the attention of the new generation to the importance and status of crafts as a past. It is an ancient city that calls for pride and celebration, preserves heritage from extinction, is considered a gateway that attracts tourists, and keeps pace with Vision 2030, which seeks to support the national economy, advance the cultural sector, and empower it at the local and international levels.”