The unit, which is mainly used to extract sesame oil, comprises a wooden trunk with a cavity serving as a mortar. A large wooden pestle is fixed in the mortar. An end of the pestle is attached to a camel. When animal goes around and round the mortar, the pestle moves and the sesame in the mortar is ground with such a force that the oil flows out through a hole in the mortar. According to the figures issued by the festival’s organizing committee on Monday, more than 5 million people visited the Janadriyah National Heritage and Culture Festival over the past 13 days.

“The festival events are continuing with increasing appreciation and popularity among visitors,” Commander of Security Forces at the festival Maj. Gen. Abdul Rahman Al-Zamil said in a statement.

“Questionnaires are distributed among the visitors to receive their feedback including suggestions and criticisms, which would be considered while organizing future events,” Al-Zamil said.

He added that there are 20 information centers set apart for lost children. He also noted with satisfaction that no serious health issue or criminal incident was reported at Janadriyah village since the opening of the festival on Feb. 8.

He said all visitors agreed the festival brought together the heritage and folk culture of every town in the Kingdom. The festival is scheduled to end on Friday.

Chief of the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia) Abdul Latif Al-Asheikh said all members of Haia have to display their identity cards to prove that they are officials of the Haia. Al-Asheikh said the number of Haia workers serving at the Janadriyah festival has been increased to 116.

“The increase in the number of Haia members enables them to work with ease even though the number of visitors have increased considerably. The Haia members are present in the festival venues between 4 p.m. and 1 a.m.,” he said.

He added 10 women employees from the National Guard were deployed among women visitors to detect moral violations and report to the Haia.

He said 40 National Guards and 40 policemen also assist Haia members at the festival grounds.

The Haia members posted at the festival were specially picked after ensuring their experience and discretion in handling delicate situations, he said, although he did not deny that some members had some issues with visitors.

The festival also offered programs to women who are about to be married, Director General of Public Relations and Media of the festival Ibrahim Al-Ghofaili said.

“The Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) organized family life programs for young women intending to get married in the near future. The programs will continue until the end of the festival,” Al-Ghofaili said.

Other TVTC training programs for women visitors at the festival included computer assembling, bridal make up, hairdressing and finger painting while programs for men included mobile maintenance, car maintenance, domestic safety, rapid reading techniques and photography and the right way to search for jobs.