The Governor of Hadhramaut, Mr. Mabkhout Mubarak bin Madi, confirmed that folk arts are among the most prominent forms of cultural expression that reflect the traditions and history of Hadhramaut. 

The governor said that the local authority supports these arts, which express the values ​​and customs passed down from one generation to another, which contribute to preserving our cultural heritage and national identity, and are also considered an integral part of the popular culture of our society.

This came during the patronage and participation of Governor Bin Madi, in the annual artistic demonstration of the popular games “Matla’ al-Matala’” which was witnessed by the city of Sayun this afternoon, and with him was the Governor’s Undersecretary for the Affairs of the Valley and Desert Directorates, Mr. Amer Saeed Al-Amiri, the Assistant Undersecretary of the Governorate Fahmi Badawi, and the Director General of the Governorate’s Office. Culture in the valley and the desert, Ahmed bin Dawis, the Director General of Security and Police, Brigadier General Abdullah bin Habesh, the Director General of the Sayun Directorate, Khaled Belfas, a number of officials, and a large group of citizens.

The folk games teams from various regions of the Valley and Coast of Hadhramaut revived the activities of the annual season of “Matala Al-Matala’” which has been witnessed in the city of Sayun for about 500 years and is sponsored by the local authority in the governorate and is considered a festival of folk games in Hadhramaut. 

The Governor of Hadhramaut shared the joy of the people of Wadi Hadhramaut and those coming from the coastal districts on this occasion coinciding with the 17th mass marriage project,

praising the interest of the Hafet al-Houta Committee and the popular committees throughout Hadhramaut in reviving the rich folk heritage of Hadhramaut, stressing the interest in supporting the history and legacy of Hadhramaut to continue reviving the popular heritage, linking popular groups, and reviving rapprochement between generations in all the governorate’s districts.

The governor stressed that the popular heritage of Hadhramaut is the most important pillar of the cultural heritage, and that the local authority supports its continuation and the continuity of its revival in various regions of Hadhramaut.

The governor pointed to the role of popular games as a cultural artifact that reflects the traditions, values ​​and experiences of Hadhramaut, social cohesion and collective joy. It plays a major role in preserving cultural identity and community cohesion. It expresses the history and values ​​of Hadhramaut and contributes to the transmission of customs and traditions, as a means of expression and interaction with people. The local environment also contributes to strengthening belonging and acts as a bridge between the past and the present.