Identity, a sense of belonging
Portrait of a woman in the desert. Northern Arabia, 1975. Courtesy of Aramco Archives.
It is said everyone is looking for their “tribe,” not necessarily an actual tribe with a particular last name or from a specific country or region, but rather, a sense of belonging to a group, to a community, to something that resonates with one’s ideas and values. Human beings are social beings, and are in search of their ‘kind’ in one way or another.
On national days, citizens and sometimes residents dress up in traditional costumes to celebrate their identity. Here we have the privilege of viewing some of the beautiful historic archives of Aramco’s old photos and see how what was worn before as a norm, is now worn on special occasions. From the jewelry and the dresses, to the images on local currencies and the traditional architecture like doors, these are just some of the elements that define aspects of identity.
An old Saudi stamp, undated. Courtesy of Aramco Archives.
Saudi Coins, 1979. Courtesy of Aramco Archives.
Saudi Coins, 1979. Courtesy of Aramco Archives.
Saudi Currency, 1977. Courtesy of Aramco Archives.
A Saudi national on the telephone inside the coffee room at Nasiriyah Palace, Crown Prince Saud residence in Riyadh, 1949. Courtesy of Aramco Archives.
Traditional coffee and tea pots, undated. Courtesy of Aramco Archives.
Traditional doors. Courtesy of Aramco Archives.
Traditional jewelry and clothes, and the tradition of incense burning, undated. Courtesy of Aramco Archives.
