‘Al-Samil’ Makes Cultural Comeback as Icon of Heritage in Northern Borders Region

In the Year of Handicrafts, the traditional “Al-Samil” is making a notable comeback in Northern Borders Region as a living example of enduring Bedouin heritage. For decades, it served as a natural alternative to the modern refrigerator, maintaining its relevance in the lives of desert dwellers.

 Al-Samil is a handmade leather container traditionally crafted from livestock skin that is tanned using natural methods. It is used to store ghee, yogurt, and water, preserving their quality and flavor over long periods without refrigeration.

 More than just a container, Al-Samil is considered an essential part of Bedouin culture, embodying a lifestyle rooted in self-sufficiency and the inherited skills of generations past.

 Today, interest in Al-Samil is being renewed, particularly at heritage festivals and handicraft exhibitions held across cities and governorates of the region.

 Al-Samil is especially valued for storing wild ghee and fermented yogurt, with its natural leather imparting a distinct flavor. It remains in use in rural homes and farms to this day. At the popular handicrafts market in Arar—locally known as the “traditional market”—artisans continue to showcase Al-Samil alongside other heritage crafts such as sadu weaving, spinning tools, and embroidered traditional garments. The market has become a destination for locals and visitors alike to explore the region’s rich cultural heritage.