The traditional costumes of the Hail region during the period of Saudi Arabia’s first state clearly reflect the social and economic movements the region witnessed, and the styles of dress reflect the diversity of textile sources and Hail’s connections with regional trade networks stretching as far as the Levant, Iraq, India, and Yemen, indicating its historical status as a cultural and commercial communication station.
Each region of Saudi Arabia is distinguished by special costumes that reflect its cultural and social diversity, a diversity that stemmed from the establishment of the first Saudi state in Diriyah by Imam Muhammad bin Saud in 1727 AD, where local costumes carried the identity of the society and its historical specificity.
In this regard, Hail Girls’ Seventh Secondary School, under the supervision of Principal Shaha Sulaiman Al Shammari, staged historical and heritage scenes and showcased the traditional costumes of Najdi and Saudi women, embodying the region’s cultural and social heritage, as part of the Hail region’s National Day celebrations.
The principal of the school explained that the event aimed to introduce middle school students to the famous fashions of women from Hail, Diriyah and Najd, the most famous of which is the Khairani Abaya, which is worn when going out or receiving guests. As a historical indicator of the depth of commercial ties between Najd and Mesopotamia, it was manufactured in limited quantities locally in Ha’il and Diriyah, although most of it was brought from Iraq.
She emphasized that bringing these costumes to National Day strengthens the new generation’s connection to the national identity and emphasizes the status of Saudi cultural heritage as an essential element in building historical awareness and a sense of belonging to the nation.
The traditional clothing of the Hail region during the Saudi First State period serves as a vivid mirror of the socio-economic movements the region witnessed, reflecting the diversity of textile sources and Hail’s connections with regional trade networks extending to the Levant, Iraq, India and Yemen, and demonstrating its historical importance as a center of cultural and commercial communication.
Each region of Saudi Arabia is distinguished by distinctive clothing that reflects its cultural and social diversity, which was associated with the establishment of the first Saudi state in Diriyah in 1727 by Imam Muhammad bin Saud, where local dress carried the identity and historical specificity of the community.
In this regard, Hail Girls’ Secondary School No. 7, under the supervision of Principal Shaha Suleiman Al Shammari, exhibited historical and cultural heritage scenes as part of Hail City’s “National Day” celebrations, displaying traditional costumes of Najdi and Saudi women that embody the cultural and social heritage of the region.
The principal explained that the purpose of the event was to educate high school students about the attire that is prominent among the women of Ha’il, Diriyah, and Najd, especially the Khairani Abaya, which is worn when going out and receiving guests. This abaya was produced in limited quantities locally in Ha’il and Diriyah, but most of it was imported from Iraq, reflecting the depth of historical trade ties between Najd and Mesopotamia.
She emphasized that remembering this garment on National Day strengthens the connection with the national identity of new generations and emphasizes the status of Saudi cultural heritage as an essential element in building historical awareness and a sense of belonging to the nation.
