SAUDI ARABIA: Hundreds flock to daily auctions at Riyadh's Souq Al Zal to buy anything from household items to ancient swords

Record ID: 1519888

  • Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Hundreds flock to daily auctions at Riyadh's Souq Al Zal to buy anything from household items to ancient swords
  • Date: 4th February 2008
  • Summary: (MER1) RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (RECENT - JANUARY 30, 2008) (REUTERS) ENTRANCE TO AL-ZAL MARKET/ PEOPLE WALKING THROUGH MARKET PLACE CLOSE OF MAN WALKING THROUGH MARKET ALLEY ELDERLY MAN SITTING OUTSIDE HIS SHOP VARIOUS MAN SELLING 'ABAYAS,' OR TRADITIONAL SAUDI CLOAKS FOR MEN, AND CALLING OUT PRICES SHOPPERS WALKING THROUGH MARKET AND EXAMINING GOODS ON DISPLAY
  • Embargoed: 20th February 2008 17:10
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Saudi Arabia
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: Lifestyle
  • Reuters ID: LVA3Q1L5MLEC3LEVVBZBKLQW0SIG
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Traditional Saudi garments, brass utensils, leather goods, perfumes and ancient swords -- the Souq al-Zal market in the Saudi capital Riyadh has become one of the most important traditional marketplaces in the Saudi capital, with hundreds flocking daily to hunt out a bargain.
    Open seven days a week, the bustling market holds two auctions daily, selling goods which are brought in from people's homes, shops and Bedouins across the kingdom.
    Traditional household items, such as silverware, hand tools and antiques are among the most popular items sold at the auction.
    While the marketplace attracts tourists curious to see how the auctions are conducted, for many locals, the auction is a regular event.
    ''I am a regular customer at this market and I enjoy these things, and today this dagger caught my attention. It is old and looks good. I wanted to buy it and take it home. The children can also wear it during special occasions. This is considered an antique and it is covered in coins. It is commonly used in the south (of Saudi Arabia) during traditional (Bedouin) sword dances at festivals,'' said Zaid Mohammed Hussein, a shopper at al-Zal market.
    Abu Khalaf has been working as an auctioneer in Souq al-Zal for 35 years. He says the auction, which has been taking place at the market for decades, keeps an important part of Saudi heritage alive.
    ''This is Saudi heritage which we are holding onto. There are auctions in other places, not just here in al-Zal. But the original one is the Sabat auction, in the al-Zal market, which is this one. Many people have taken charge of it. Many big personalities and delegations come to the auction, which they enjoy watching, thank God,'' he said.
    A well-known figure in Riyadh, merchants rely on Abu Khalaf to sell their goods for good prices. The auctioneer, who values the goods together with the sellers, says that most of the time he makes a profit for his customers, although he declines to reveal what commission is paid to him.
    ''The prices vary. We sold a gun for 28,000 (Saudi) rials ( about 7,470 U.S. dollars), a Turkish gun covered in silver and gold, we sold it for 28,000 rials net. We get copper trays with Quranic verses engraved on them, we get some nice things, thank God. The other thing of great value is to have people gather here - both old and young. Thank God, we are happy and we are preserving our heritage,'' Abu Khalaf said.
    The first daily auction takes place after the afternoon prayer (Salat al-Asr) andjust before evening prayer (Salat al-Maghrib), when the auctioneer and some of his customers and shoppers drink coffee and eat dates.
    After the evening prayer, the second daily auction gets underway at a different location in the Souq al-Zal market, with more people showing up to buy and sell traditional goods before heading off for the night prayer (Salat al-Isha).
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