“Inshallah, you will taste it.”
I could tell Hanan Alanazi took a great deal of pride in her roots as we talked about her home. Hanan is from the north-central Ha’il region, one of 13 provinces in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. If you undertake the roughly six-hour drive from Riyadh to Ha’il, you’ll find much more than just a change in landscape. You’ll also find a rich culture, ancient history, and delicious food.
When Hanan and I first started our conversation, the first thing she told me about was Samri, a traditional dance she says that originated in Ha’il. In Samri, two rows of men sit on their knees facing each other. They sing poetry, clap, and sway to the rhythm of a drum. “Samri” literally translates to “frolicsome,” and Hanan explained that the dance is still performed at weddings and other celebrations in Ha’il today.
Ha’il is also home to many mountain ranges. The twin ranges of ‘Aja and Salma are the most famous, but lesser known mountains boast of ancient history. Rock carvings on two mountains, one in Jubbah and the other at Shuwaymis, are estimated to be 10,000 years old. Petroglyphs depict camels, men wearing armor, and even a pair of animals pulling a wheeled cart. The artwork in Ha’il is one of just five UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kingdom.
You can’t think about culture without including food, and Ha’il has its own unique food too. Hanan told me that Ha’il is home to two delicious dishes: makshoosh and kabyebat. Hanan describes kabyebat as “rice and vegetables cooked in a special way.” While kabyebat is more of a main dish, makshoosh is pure comfort food. It is Hanan’s favorite dish to make herself. Makshoosh is similar to pancakes, made from small circles of dough and coated in honey. “When I make it, I think of my grandfather. He used to make it for us and for our father when we were young. My father loved it too,” Hanan smiled, “You must try it if you can. Inshallah, you will taste it one day.”
Hanan Alanazi is one of many guides who come from all across the country to teach Saudi language and culture at Arabius. If you are interested in learning more, go to www.arabius.com.
FUN FACTS ABOUT HA’IL
• Ha’il is much cooler than Riyadh. In summer, the average temperature is roughly 5° lower. In winter, temperatures can drop as low as 0°!
• Winter weather can be dangerous! Hanan says hail storms drop golf-ball sized chunks of ice several times a season in Ha’il.
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