Mud houses keep old Saudi traditions alive in Hail city

A visit to the old neighborhoods in the city of Hail offers a beautiful mix of history and hospitality as the traditional mud houses — some with origins that date back as far as 1500 AD — have garnered a resurgence of interest in the northern Saudi Arabia region. Mohammed Al-Na’am is the supervisor of several Al-Na’am heritage houses, which are owned by his family and like many other houses across the Hail region, are open 24 hours a day to visitors. Tourists can stop by for a coffee, food or even stay the night.

“Hail is replete with historical heritage because it is an ancient region known for its generosity and hospitality,” Al-Na’am said. “This explains the interest in the ancient buildings of the region.” Most of his visitors are particularly impressed by the ornately decorated walls and ceilings of the homes, which have been restored and renovated with a modern touch.

While this traditional style of building enjoys enduring popularity, Al-Na’am said the high cost of constructing mud houses and the need for continuous maintenance means that modern versions are often built using concrete. This allows the classic mud-house style to be preserved while reducing the cost of construction and maintenance.

Some people continue to keep the old traditions alive by working with authentic materials. Abdullah Al-Khuzam, a member of the National Program for the Development of Handicrafts, has been passionate about building mud houses for more than 30 years.

Mixing the mud is a delicate process that requires special skills, and is not as random as it might appear, he added. “For example, certain parts of the building require a certain amount of mud and clay and a certain quantity of soil,” AlKhuzam explained.

‘Hail is replete with historical heritage because it is an ancient region known for its generosity and hospitality.’