JEDDAH: Thirty young Saudi men will light up the night on Feb. 10 in Siwairah, a town near Madinah, when they compete to see who can build a traditional campfire the fastest.
The competition is part of the three-day “Your Fire is Alive” heritage festival sponsored by Madinah Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Majed. This Bedou-style hoedown is aimed at displaying and preserving the old world traditions of these desert folk.
“The competition will also include how to prepare Arabic coffee and how to present it to guests and entertain them in the old Bedouin style,” said Abdullah ibn Marzouq Al-Sihaimi, one of the festival’s organizers.
The name of the festival also has its roots in tradition: in the old days a burning fire was a sign of hospitality, a hot cup of “Arabic Joe” and something to fill the tummy.
“We are trying to inculcate in our youth our old values of generosity and hospitality,” said Al-Sihaimi. “This is what we are trying to make our youth understand and cherish.”
Participants in the campfire and coffee competition will be picked by lottery and the fastest fire-maker will get “a valuable reward,” said Al-Sihaimi with a smile.
It’s not just about building a campfire and preparing coffee the fastest; the best of the best in this competition must be able to host guests with traditional Bedouin-style panache.
“Your Fire is Alive” will also feature the centuries-old tradition of camel racing. Spectators will also catch up on their Arabic poetry and learn a few games they might not be aware of.
There will also be a market selling some handmade tchotchkes (no imported plastic trinkets here!) and a family-friendly campsite.
Al-Sihaimi said the organizers would liaise with travel and tourist companies to bring visitors.
Oh, and while you’re there you might consider checking out the nearby Neolithic rock art.
