People familiar with Saudi Arabia are well aware that the southwestern region of the Kingdom is a little different. While beautiful women elsewhere compete in pageants for the title of most beautiful, women in the Asir region vie for a different title. Instead of “Miss World,” some women here hope to earn the much-coveted title of “Al-Sagra,” or “The Falcon.”
Think of it as the title given to the ideal Asiri woman: a meticulous housekeeper, an adept farmer, a loving wife, a welcoming host (with or without the presence of her husband) and somebody who can keep the sheep from wandering off.
International beauty pageant competitions are based on specific criteria and evaluated by special committees. However, to be an Al-Sagra in Asir, a woman needs to achieve certain qualities, which have been decided on by the community — the title is then awarded to the woman by her father or husband.
For people in Asir, Al-Sagra is the title given to a woman who wakes up early in the morning and takes good care of her home, farm and sheep. She devotes her time and efforts to helping her husband or father, and welcomes guests whether her husband is at home or not.
Al-Sagra is the Arabic name for the falcon, a bird that is distinguished among birds due to certain characteristics that other birds do not have. People in Asir have adopted the name to refer to both men and women that have distinguished qualities.
For a man to be called Al-Sagra, he has to obey his parents, be professional and look after his sheep well.
With globalization affecting even the most rural areas of Saudi Arabia, many Saudi women have shifted their interests to education, fashion and design.
According to some, those who care only about fashion can never be called Al-Sagras.
Ahmad Mutaain, an experienced old man, said that the falcon is known to be a clever and obedient bird.
He added that the term is generally used to describe a woman that is smart, knows how to solve problems, control her house, and present a pleasant behavior both indoors and outdoors.
“In the past, a woman’s role was crucial. She would stand by her husband and deserved to be named Al-Sagra as a mark of appreciation and distinction,” said Mutaain, adding that, however, the new Saudi generation is different.
“Many Saudi women are now looking at different types of role-models from other countries of what a perfect woman should be. They want to be like foreign women, especially in matters of education,” he said, adding that he believes that successful and educated women also deserve to be called Al-Sagras, since they are “creative and outstanding.”
Hissa Al-Awn, a businesswoman who works as an information consultant at the Saudi Sport Channel, said, “Al-Sagra refers to a woman who is smart and good. There is no competition over this title. It’s just a prize that distinguishes one woman from another, it’s like the mother prize for instance — something to add to one’s social CV.”
She added, “In Asir, Al-Sagra is the title given to a woman who properly fulfills all of her responsibilities, starting from preparing coffee for her husband in the morning, doing work on the farm, looking after the sheep, and helping her husband in construction work at home.”
Al-Awn said that the title still exists and refers to a girl or a woman, who is creative and distinguished in her work, especially in her personal life. Al-Awn believes the concept should be encouraged at schools for students to compete for.
Commenting on women, who devote their time to fashion, she said that frivolous spending ruins a family’s budget and has nothing to do with being an Al-Sagra.
Many Asiri women continue yearning to earn the title. Among these is 25-year-old Nouf Al-Shahrani, who left school while young to assume the role of her late mother and help her father. She takes good care of the family home and welcomes guests warmly. Though Al-Shahrani does not dress according to modern fashion trends, she is still glad to have achieved the Al-Sagra title, which her father gave her for being very supportive and responsible at home.