The difference between both lies in that al-Masahub can be described as a meter of Nabatean poetry, a traditional poetry form in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is locally referred to as al-Jarr, where the expression often used is Jarr al-Masahub rather than singing al-Masahub.
Al-Masahub poems express the culture of each region and its most popular traditional poems. However, both al-Masahub and al-Heda'a cannot be considered among traditional dances, as they feature singing folklore poetry, where the traditional Rababah often accompanies poetry recitation.
On the other hand, al-Heda'a is a combination of sounds played by camel owners and herders to communicate with their camels. This form of expression turned into composed poems that became an art of the desert and the most known among other musical and vocal arts.
Both al-Heda'a and al-Masahub are classified as intangible heritage within the folklore category in the national cultural competitions organized by the Ministry of Culture in the Kingdom. In 2019, the ministry launched a competition offering monetary prizes, where various traditional arts, including al-Samri, al-Heda'a, and al-Masahub, competed within the traditional dance category.
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