Traditional Al-Assah: Celebrating the Timeless Traditions of Al-Baha
AL-BAHA — Traditional Al-Assah village guards are captivating visitors at the ninth Al-Atawilah Heritage Festival in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Baha region, with rhythmic chants, sharp whistle calls, and military-style marches transporting audiences to a bygone era.
Dressed in carefully recreated uniforms, performers bring to life the men once responsible for maintaining order and protecting villages across the region. The reenactments feature disciplined parades and ceremonial drills that reflect the duties once carried out by the guards, whose presence was a familiar sight in local communities.
To preserve historical authenticity, the festival’s organizing committee reproduced the original official attire, including olive-green trousers, matching shirts, belts, ghutras, military boots, and the government-issued rifles they once carried. The performances have become one of the festival’s most popular attractions, drawing crowds eager to photograph the guards and learn about their role in safeguarding communities.
Beyond the Al-Assah performances, the festival offers traditional arts, interactive experiences, and family-oriented attractions, reflecting broader efforts to preserve the region’s cultural identity while promoting it as a destination where history, nature, and living traditions come together.
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