Traditions of Jeddah
The Red Sea port and gate of Mecca, whose old town has houses of coral stone with carved wooden balconies.
Jeddah has been the sea gateway for pilgrims to Mecca for over a thousand years. The old district, Al-Balad, has tall houses of coral stone with wooden lattice balconies called rawashin. The city mixes Hijazi traditions with the influence of Yemeni, Indian, African and Indonesian pilgrims who settled here.
The port of pilgrims
Many pilgrims first arrive in Jeddah and stay in its old houses. Hijazi customs include the mizmar, a folk dance with drums and a wind instrument, and the mehrajan, a festival of singers. During Ramadan the streets stay lively until dawn, and families gather for long iftar meals.
At the table
The Hijazi table includes mutabbaq, a stuffed pancake, ful medames, and sobia, a sweet and spiced drink of barley. Fresh fish from the Red Sea is grilled, and sayadiyah is fish with rice and caramelised onion. In the old souks sellers offer incense, oud and dried herbs.
Signature traditions of Jeddah
Also part of it, and being written: Al-Balad, Jeddah (The historic centre.), Sayadieh (Fish and rice.).
A trail idea for Jeddah
- Al-Balad Walk among the carved wooden balconies.
- Souq Al-Alawi Buy incense and spices.
- Jeddah Corniche Walk by the sea in the evening.
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
