The Chinese Race "Li" (Chinese Tattoos culture)
By Shengan Gu

Are you interested in tattoos?
There is a race called "Li" in China, where only the women of this race have tattoos from top to bottom, especially the face. This race lives in Hainan Province, South China.

These tattoos are used to distinguish another races, to avoid marrying with another races, to keep the blood original and innocent. Therefore, them have to be done before marriage. They use plants' stings to finish them.The girls usually can get tattoos from 6-20 years old. However, most of women get them from 10-15 years old. According to the BaiKe website, 40% get them at 13 or 14 years old, 20% get them from 16-18years old.

There are five different styles of tattoos to divide Li into five branches. Li can tell the pattern well among the five tribes. distinct symbols stand for unique ancestors.

This tradition ended in 1940s because of culture shock from the other races. Today, only around 2,000 women of Li can be found with tattoos. The youngest is 70 and the oldest is 90. Therefore, curious people who want to witness this tradition, they should visit Hainan Province before this custom dies out.

Wedding Rituals in Saudi Arabia
by Khaled Al-Omari, Majed Al-Rashidi, and Yazan Alruwaili

In Saudi Arabia, when men and women want to get married, they prefer to buy new clothes and throw out old ones. They consider this a new life, so the couple needs new clothes. On the wedding night, the man wears white traditional Saudi clothes, which are the white scarf on the head called "Ghutrah" and the dress called "Thoub" with a long block cover called a "Bisht". And, the woman wears a white fancy dress just like women in the U.S.

Before the wedding ceremony, the religious man- called an Alsheikh- announces that bride and the bridegroom are couple. Then the bridegroom goes to a party hall a special hall for wedding near his house. His friends follow him in their cars and hink their horns and flash their lights, so the people know that there is a wedding party.

During the wedding, before leaving with his father and relatives of the bride to a special room  for the couple, the man celebrates with his friends and relatives by dancing. The woman goes with her mother and relatives to the same room, so they are together to start a new life. People in KSA, celebrate wedding by dancing and eating for the whole night. In addition, each region in KSA has its special traditional dance. The morning after the wedding, the man gives a gift to his wife such as some gold accessories.

Wedding in Saudi Arabia differs from USA in that men are responsible for paying all costs of the wedding. However, in the US usually the bride family suppose to pay for the ceremony. People of KSA, particularly women, may have parties for three days after the wedding.

Jenadriyah Festival 

By Aljawhrah Alajaji

The Jenadriyah Festival is a Saudi Arabian cultural festival held by the Saudi National Guard in Riyadh State, since 1985. The festival occurs in February or March. It attracts many visitors from both inside and outside Saudi Arabia, more than one million visitors every year. The place where the Jenadriyah festival was originally held turned into a permanent village outside of Riyadh city, called, 

Jenadriyah has visitors from the leaders of the countries of the Arabian Gulf, then expanded the hosting of the festival guests to countries in the Arab region in The Middle East and the continents of other world into a festival gathering regionally and globally.

Each year there is a guest of honor country who participated in the festival. In 2009 Russia  participated in the Jenadriyah 24th; the French Republic participated in the Jenadriyah 25th on 2010; Japan on 2011 in the Jenadriyah 26th; South Korea on 27th the following year, Republic of China on 2013 in the Jenadriyah 28th; and finally the United Arab Emirates on 2014 in the Jenadriyah 29th.

Also each year, an operetta is held with a different theme that represents a cultural or historical matter. The operetta is attended by the king and lots of important people in the country. The beginning of the operetta in Jenadriyah festival was begin in the fifth edition of the festival in 1988 and was attended by many poets, composers and artists only from Saudi Arabia. Still it is only written and sung by only Saudi Arabia artists.

The festival activities include camel and horse racing, as well as performance of local music and dancing the Ardha dance, which is performed by men carrying swords or canes, and is accompanied by drums and spoken poetry. 

Also, there is also folk poetry, a book fair, arts and unique heritage of the regions, folk costumes, and popular markets, display of traditional crafts such as weaving, woodwork, metalwork, and leather work.

This year the festival was canceled due to the death of the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud may Allah--have mercy on him--on January 2015. However, it will continue on 2016. 

If anyone want to visit Saudi Arabia they should visit during the festival time to have a great journey to the history. 

The Wedding Cultures of Saudi Arabia and America: The Weddings
By Mohsen Jabali

Summer season 2015 will start on or about Wednesday, May 20. And before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, it is common that there will be series of weddings in Saudi Arabia. That is not imply weddings are quickly arranged; just like in America weddings, they are well-planned and eagerly anticipated.

Just like a Western style wedding, the bride starts searching for the perfect dress early. Most Saudi brides wear a long white wedding robe, like the dress in fashion in the United States.

Another tradition that is a quite equal between the two cultures. Invitations and celebrations before the wedding. American couple Jessica and Michael say, "A week or couple days prior the wedding, brides and grooms sometimes do a small party or ceremony with their friends and relatives, and they invite people to their wedding a month in advance or before the wedding via emails and calls."

However, opposite of American weddings, there is not a large wedding party with bridesmaids. Due to the separation of women and men in the Kingdom, there is a separate reception for the bride and a separate reception for the groom.

The men usually wear their traditional dress (thobes) to a wedding. Particular guests and male members of the groom's family may wear a (bisht) over their thobes. The wedding hall for the men is commonly a large room with comfortable sofas and chairs for the groom's party. 

The Saudi brides also wear white traditional dresses and they spend a lot of money on their make-up, gold and other accessories.

On the other hand, in the U.S. brides also spend a lot of money on their needs. Also American brides have options to choose grooms' outfits and they spend much time to find appropriate dresses.

The groom's party may have either live traditional music or recorded music. The men enjoy dancing traditional dances and everyone say congratulates the new groom and his family. Meanwhile, women enjoy their night in an insulated hall far away of men's eyes.

Likewise American grooms also have many things to do; they celebrate with their friends, listen to music and dance; they also receive some gifts from their family, relatives, and friends. One last important thing that American and Saudi grooms and brides use to do, which is taking pictures.

In the end, there are many wonderful customs and traditions around the world, just enjoy if you get a chance to attend, and do not let anyone stop you from participation various cultures with different people.

Saturday Open Market (Souq A-Sabt)

By Zakaria Alghamdi

In southern Saudi Arabia in a city called Baljurashi, there is a Saturday open market. It is more like a small festival, similar to The Farmers Market in Moscow.

In this avenue Baljurashians sell homemade materials, traditional material, light weapons, seeds, natural honey, birds and pets. 

In addition, they use the same street for another traditional events called Ardah, is a traditional dance and it differ from tripe to tripe and from north to south. 

The main item Baljurashians sell is Sahfa, Mesot, and Khafh. Sahfa is a huge plate for one type of a traditional dish called Aysh. Mesot is a specific type of wood and specific shape used for mixing water, dairy and flour to make a delicious dish called Aysh. 

Also, they sell a homemade Khafh to protect from the sun. It is similar to the hat shape. It made of fronds and palms. People put Khafh on their heads 

Furthermore, light weapons like the dagger(Janbieeh), are for designing and cutting simple things, not for aggressive actions, such as attacking. It is a traditional habit to tie Janbieeh around the bottom side of the stomach. 

Also, there are different types of domestic of birds, chickens, turkeys, ducks, rabbits for raising and eating. Sometimes there are wild animals for sale, such as Hedgehog and foxes, but that is rare.

This market starts when the sun raises till the afternoon. There are more customers in summer when tourists start to visit Baljurashi. 

Saturday market is one of the most popular markets in the south of Saudi Arabia. It is the first destination for the tourists. Instead if you come to Baljurashi, definitely visit the market.

     

Ramadan in Holy Mosque
By Afnan Alsharif

The Muslim people have a month during every year to fast for a specific time. The benefits of fasting for love and cohesion among members of society, and Muslims remember the poor who are affected by hunger in most of their time and not, so that they giving charity to the poor let them bring forth those that love and intimacy in the community.

The Holy Mosque 

The traditions are different from countries to another however, in Saudi Arabia particularly in Makkah city, the Holy Mosque the tradition differ in preparing. Muslims around the world come to spend this month in holy mosque, refrain from breaking the fast from dawn to sunset for 30 days.

Linked to the month of fasting paraphernalia must be prepared in advance, such as the purchase of foods and tasty Ramadan "Kamaruddin - Indian rebellion" the population of the city, provide breakfast food for visitors to the holy mosques, at their own expense. The people who are providing food to visitor in Holy Mosque even earn a wage, too.

After breakfast, a method of cleaning tableware plain tables special process Of prayer before even be able to find a space for pray. This is on a voluntary basis by the Muslims who are in the Holy Mosque.

In sum, Muslims believe that Ramadan is the month where Muslims devote themselves to God and get a wage by doing their prayers, charity, and volunteer works.

Alharid Festival 
By Muath Ageeli 

Do you know what happens in April on Farasan Island?

In April, the largest festival in this Island is Alharid
(AL-HARR-EED) festival, the most important festival to occur in the area. This festival is consecutive to 3 days where people do fishing and commemoration throughout these days.


Farasan Island is considered one of the remote regions in Saudi Arabia. It's located in the south-west of Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea near to Yemen.

People catch fish in a particular area, the Alhasees (AL-HA-SEES) beach, which is located in the north-west of Farasan Island. Alharid is considered one of the kind of migrant fish which comes to this island to reproduce then people will do fishing. 

To catch this type of fish, people should run from the beach in the middle of the sea to fishing with a specific type of trawl. The average catch is 30 fish.

 At the end of the day, people enjoy a great event and eat this fish by cooking in the oven with a lot of spices.

In addition, they wear a certain type of clothing to express their happiness. People perform many kinds of the most famous dance in this Island, which called Danah (DA-NA-H).

Alharid Festival is the most beautiful of festivals which occur in the region. So, if you are planning to go to Farasan Island in the future, you should go there in April because you will enjoy the festival and the perfect weather. 

People Fast for a Month
By Saleh karhan, Abdualrazag Arhuma & Salman Alharbi 

Muslims temporary stop eating and drink from daybreak until sunset every day for a month, called Ramadan (/ˌræməˈdɑːn/;). Ramadan is a ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is the noon month calendar. Ramadan happens every year, and all Muslims around the world have to fast at the same time no matter where they live according to the Muslim's religion.

The purpose of fasting Ramadan is to remind Muslims other people who do not have food. Fasting is the third pillars of the five pillars of Islam. Five foundations have been believed by Muslims. According to the Muslims' religion, the first pillar of the five is shahadah, which declaring there is no god except God, and Muhammad is God's Messenger. The second pillar is Salat (ṣalāh), which is a ritual prayer five times a day. The fourth pillar is Zakat (Zakāt), which people give 2.5% of one's savings to the poor and needy. The fifth is Hajj, which is the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime, if one is able. 

Muslims actually have two main meals each day in Ramadan. One of the meals is called "Suhoor." Muslims prepare themselves to fast a day by eating and drink before dawn. 

The second meal is called "Iftar." Muslims eat date and drink water after sunset, in Ifter.  Then they eat soup and other kinds of food because people are different in their societies and their cultures. During in this meal, the majority of Muslims invites people to eat together, so people can see a great table of food with many different kinds of food

During Ramadan, Muslims increase their reading of the Holy Quran, and their praying. Also, they visit their families, and their friends. 

Ramadan is considered a healthy month because Muslims eat little food. You should try to fast to see how poor people live, and to make your body healthy.