Najran, Provincial capital in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Najran is a provincial capital in southwestern Saudi Arabia, spreading across a fertile oasis at 1,293 meters (4,242 feet) elevation. Mountains and valleys surround the settlement to the west, while the Rub al-Khali desert extends to the east.
The settlement developed between 1000 BCE and 600 CE as a center for frankincense and myrrh production. Roman travelers visited in 24 BCE and documented its role in trade.
Residents perform dances such as Al-Zamil and Al-Razffah during social gatherings, accompanied by drums and rhythmic chanting. Markets display crafts passed down through generations, offering textiles, pottery and silver jewelry.
Several highways lead here from Mecca and Riyadh, making the city accessible by road. The Najran Valley Dam sits roughly 35 kilometers (22 miles) away and supplies water to the region.
Craftspeople once manufactured the kiswah here, the ceremonial cloth covering for the Kaaba. This tradition shaped the local textile industry over centuries.
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