Diriyah Oral History Project

Diriyah Oral History Project is a project to document the history and events in ad-Diriyah, the capital of the First Saudi State, by recording oral and video testimonies of elderly residents of ad-Diriyah to preserve its history and highlight its cultural and heritage significance. This project was launched in 2020 by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Diriyah Oral History Project documents the narratives and testimonies of the elderly regarding historical and heritage events, through conducting recorded oral interviews with them. It also records information and stories not included in the region's historical books, and documents important aspects of ad-Diriyah's history and heritage.

The project encompasses filming, production, and documentation of narratives, adhering to rigorous criteria for selecting narrators and ensuring coherence of the narrative or event. This is achieved through the collaboration of specialists and experts in the history of ad- and the application of scientific methodologies based on the chronological sequence of events and narratives.

DGDA launched the 'Diriyah Women's Oral History' project on September 9, 2021, as part of the broader Diriyah Oral History Project. This initiative involved conducting oral interviews, recording both video and audio, and transcribing the interviews. The discussions explored topics such as education, hospitality, handicrafts, social relationships, traditional foods, and clothing, aiming to document the social lives of women in ad-Diriyah and emphasize their contributions to the development of the local community.

The historical research and studies team at DGDA has recorded numerous stories after conducting dozens of hours of interviews and video recordings with the women of ad-Diriyah.

Diriyah Oral History Project included the Oral History of the Saudi Ardah Initiative, aiming to preserve the historical heritage of this art form, transmit it to future generations, revive Ardah art, introduce its poets, and raise societal awareness of this cultural heritage. Known as an art form of ad-Diriyah, the Saudi Ardah is a national symbol representing a part of the Kingdom's heritage and culture. It is performed by men as a form of cohesion between the leadership and the people, instilling a spirit of enthusiasm and embodying love for the land and loyalty to the leader. Historically, the Ardah was performed with a sword dance in preparation for war before confronting the enemy on the battlefield as a way for men to display their weapons and fighting spirit. Today, it has become a form of Saudi folk culture.

Within Diriyah Oral History Project, oral testimonies were recorded about the agricultural production of ad-Diriyah, including grapes, pomegranates, oranges, mandarins, wheat, dates, and tamarisk trees. Ad-Diriyah was a food source for Riyadh Province due to its diverse production, which was transported by camel and sold in the Riyadh market in al-Muqimarah.