AmericanBadu
Blog about the natural & cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia
about
I’m Joshua Van Alstine — an American writer and researcher living and working in Saudi Arabia. I document the natural and cultural heritage of the Arabian Peninsula, from Bedouin traditions to desert ecology, camel racing, falconry, and ancient history.
Category: Cultural Heritage
Explore the rich cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia — from Bedouin traditions and Islamic art to historic cities, royal history, and the living customs that define Arabian identity.
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Ḥaqq al-Ḍayf (حق الضيف) and Karāmat al-Ḍayf (كرامة الضيف) in Arabian Moral Economy Hospitality in Bedouin society is not merely a social virtue but a normative system regulating survival, honor, and economic exchange in arid environments. This article examines the conceptual and practical distinction between Ḥaqq al-Ḍayf (حق الضيف)—the right of the guest—and Karāmat al-Ḍayf…
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Why Gulf camel racing is reintroducing adult jockeys in the age of robots Camel racing in the Gulf has spent the last two decades defined by an object: a small robot strapped to a saddle, controlled from a convoy of cars running parallel to the track. That robot did not appear because the region wanted…
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Across the sandstone valleys of AlUla, where ancient inscriptions meet the whispers of palm leaves, even the simplest doorway tells a story. These doors — often overlooked by hurried visitors — are among the most intimate artifacts of the town’s vernacular architecture. Each bāb (باب, door) stands as a threshold between the private and public…
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King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the seventh King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He assumed the throne on January 23, 2015, and is the fifteenth ruler of the Saudi state since 1727. His leadership blends a historian’s regard for origins with a statesman’s drive…
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King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz : A King for Humanity King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1924–2015), the sixth King of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is remembered as a reformer, a statesman, and a leader of profound humanity. His reign, which lasted from 2005 until his passing in 2015, was marked…
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King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1921–2005) was the fifth King of Saudi Arabia, ruling from 1982 until his passing in 2005. His reign of 23 years was one of the longest in Saudi history and transformed the Kingdom into a modern state with global influence. Known as the first monarch to adopt the title…
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King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1913–1982) led Saudi Arabia through a period of extraordinary transformation. His reign, from March 25, 1975, until his death on June 13, 1982, was marked by humility, compassion, and a deep commitment to his people. He presided over one of the most prosperous eras in the Kingdom’s history, combining…
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Early Life and Formation King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1906–1975) was born in Riyadh, the third son of King Abdulaziz and Tarfa bint Abdullah bin Abdullatif Al al-Shaikh, a descendant of Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab. His mother died when he was only five months old, and he was raised in the household of…
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King Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1902–1969) was born in Kuwait in the same year his father recaptured Riyadh, marking the rebirth of the Saudi state. He memorized the Qur’an by the age of eleven and was raised under the guidance of King Abdulaziz and Imam Abdulrahman. From his youth, he was immersed in military…
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“اجتمعنا مع بعض العرب تحت الحماطـه .. حن قلبي على دار الدواء وانا لحالي” “We gathered, we Arabs, beneath the fig tree’s shade…My heart aches for that home of warmth, now that I sit alone.” Under the branches of a Ficus carica, the fig tree (hamaatah), a poet once found both companionship and silence. In…