A Kingdom Is Born
22 of February, green flags of a proud kingdom waver in the gentle breeze, thuds of drums and voices of poetry whisper through the air, chanting stories of the past and cherished tradition. Men who wonder through the streets as they care for their elegance, folding their Shemagh in full presence and underlying beauty. Women’s eyes that glow, sparkling through the darkness of the night and henna tattoos awakening artistic beauty.
22 of February, National Foundation Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A day in which the Kingdom and it’s citizens embrace and celebrate to the fullest the roots of their country, the founder of this Kingdom and the tradition and culture that guided the evolution of the nation.
A story with a Boundless Continuation
Al- Diriyah, the first of three Saudi states, founded by Sheikh Muhammad bin Saud. Today a cherished place of indescribable importance for Saudi’s. One can walk through the streets once roamed by its inhabitants and read the story written in its walls. National Foundation Day reflects the birth of the kingdom wholeheartedly and whole souled.
I stand amidst the streets of AlUla, also known as, Saudi Arabia’s gem. The old town market street is flooded by human existence, microphones that emit voices form the past in pure Arabic voice act enchantingly. The mosque, a sign of the Islam stands quietly and an Arabic horse, followed by thudding drums, makes its way weightlessly over the dusty grounds. Children, dressed in traditional clothing, run joyously through the masses as their smiles expresses engraved pride and happiness for todays day.
The Spirit of Celebration
So how exactly do Saudi’s celebrate this day, you might wonder. It’s written between the lines. Saudi flags are raised in boundless amounts, Saudi’s dress no other way than tradition, henna tattoos on the hands, and feet of women and men state elegance and the Arabic horse tip toes presently yet silently and majestically through the streets. A strong presence of Saudi culture. What about the chanting voices and infusing thuds of drums? They epitomize Ardah, the sword dance. My favorite part of this celebration. An inspiriting event. A significant cultural expression of Saudi.
Ardah lies in a cherished past of Saudi Arabia. The words of its story are expressed through dance and Its roots lay there where Ardah was vocalized to the warriors who protected their religion, people and place they call home, epitomizing and radiating heroism and courage. Along its lines victory, splendor and unwavering pride echo as the sword dance was, in the past, performed to nurture the spirit of warriors.
A day that leaves you blinded by the beauty of life, the simplicity of happiness pounds profoundly in your heart and the whole souled spirit leaves you speechless. That is how I experienced National Foundation Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
I love you from the bottom of my heart, Saudi Arabia.