At a Glance

  • Location: Dumat Al-Jandal – Al-Jouf Camel Auction 2025
  • Date: 15 Shawwal 1446 AH / April 13, 2025

As part of the activities of the second edition of the Al-Jouf Camel Auction, currently held over ten days in Dumat Al-Jandal governorate, the traditional craft of “sumayl” is returning to the spotlight as one of the most prominent symbols of local heritage, with craftsmen and craftswomen taking part in the traditional crafts pavilion, in a year the Kingdom has designated 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts.

The craft of making “sumayl” is one of the oldest women's crafts associated with Bedouin communities, historically used to store milk, ghee and water, using sheep and goat hides treated through traditional methods that preserve their properties.

Craftswoman Umm Mishaal stood out during her participation in the auction, describing the stages of making sumayl — beginning with tanning the hides using arta tree bark and salt, then drying the hide and separating it from the hair, before shaping and hand-stitching it with leather thread, tied at the opening with a “wika',” a thin cord used to seal it tightly.

The type of hide used differs by purpose: sheep hide is preferred for storing milk because of its softness, while goat hide is used for storing ghee because of its firmness, giving the products a distinctive flavor that has made them increasingly popular among visitors wishing to buy natural ghee preserved inside sumayl containers.

Organizers of the auction affirm that reviving traditional crafts is one of the cultural goals accompanying the event, giving craftswomen from the region a chance to showcase their products, interact with visitors, and introduce the new generation to these authentic industries — a step that strengthens the preservation of heritage identity and boosts the local economy by marketing innovative products that carry the spirit of authenticity.