Hospitality in the First Saudi State

Hospitality in the First Saudi State refers to customs and manifestations of honoring guests in the society of the First Saudi State. These customs encompass good reception, welcoming, and hosting guests, abstaining from asking them for what they need unless three days after hosting them, protecting them and their property, when needed, throughout their stay, and ensuring they are under their host's protection or that of one of the family members wherever the guests go.

Throughout the history of the First Saudi State, the community inherited and observed customs reflecting generosity and hospitality. As such, upon a guest's arrival to the host's house, he is welcomed and served coffee which is a symbol of generosity in the First Saudi State, before feeding either lunch or dinner to him, depending on his time of arrival. Moreover, it was customary for tribal elders to prepare coffee daily, as to ensure it is ready to be served for guests arriving at any time. Values related to generosity and hospitality became intrinsically tied to humans in the First Saudi State. Hence, individuals were not only hospitable and generous, but they were also keen on passing these values and customs to their offspring.

Manifestations of hospitality in the First Saudi State include the host's offering the best he has to their guest and being keen on meeting his needs. Customs related to generosity include the women's participation in offering hospitality in the absence of men. In fact, guests should not leave without being received. Hence, the relatives of the absent host would welcome and host the guest on his behalf and offer hospitality to those visiting. Although hospitality customs differed within the society of the First Saudi State, all components of society agree that honoring the guest is a core value of the society.

Honoring the guest is one of the deeply instilled Saudi customs and values since the establishment of the First Saudi State. However, failing to honor, serve, or insult the guest is considered a moral failure, where those of fail to honor their guest or hurt them are reprehended.

The Imams of the First Saudi State were known for their generosity and hospitality. Manifestations were recounted in historical accounts that narrated the generosity of Imam Saud Bin Abdulaziz Bin Mohammed, the grandson of the Founder of the First Saudi State, Imam Mohammed Bin Saud, and the third Imam thereof. He was known for his hospitality. He hosted his guests starting from the afternoon until after dinner. The pantry of his palace would use daily around five hundred cups of wheat and rice. The first guests would be served meat, rice, and bread. Those arriving later would be served similar food, and those arriving late would be served whole wheat, ultimately leaving nobody behind. He was generous and hospitable to the extent that banquets in his palace were open and accessible to all.