JEDDAH: Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district celebrated Eid Al-Fitr with traditional fervor and cultural activities.

To welcome the three-day festivities, residents of these neighborhoods come together to hang up decorations and prepare public streets and areas for traditional activities which vary from folk singing and cultural games, to gift giving and visitations among neighbors and families.

Aboud bin Abubakr Al-Baeshen said these Eid celebrations in Jeddah, which cater to all ages, continue to carry on the historic celebrations and practices of generations ago, as well as reflect Saudi heritage and culture.

From Al-Nazla to Hindawiya and Al-Kandara to Al-Ammariya, all members of these old historic neighborhoods come together to organize and participate in these folk dances, songs and traditional games, said Al-Baeshen, praising the role of Jeddah municipality and volunteer teams for helping to organize these activities that aim to maintain cultural traditions.

Maha bint Aboud Al-Baeshen, a specialist in the historic areas and culture of Jeddah, described these old neighborhoods as the “pulse of the city.”She said youth volunteers collect money from residents during Ramadan to carry out various activities during the Eid, and coordinate with specialized organizations to prepare the sites, with cooks to prepare dishes, and with cultural groups to lead traditional activities and games over the three days of Eid.

Some popular games among children include Al-Asfoor, Al-Maekeera and Al-Daa.

According to Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Amari of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH), these celebrations in old Jeddah attract both residents and visitors of these neighborhoods due to their unique and traditional cultural elements.

These festivities, also organized and supervised by SCTNH, unite members of these communities who come together to celebrate Eid and remember the history and culture of these neighborhoods, he said.

He stressed on the need for heads of different neighborhoods to follow up on these activities and encourage youth to participate regularly in these unique cultural traditions.