Traditional ways to stay cool

Before the advent of modern air conditioning, people in Saudi Arabia employed a variety of traditional methods to cope with the extreme heat, focusing on lifestyle, clothing, and architecture.

Lifestyle and Clothing 🧳

Traditional Saudi life was highly adapted to the climate. People would:

• Avoid the midday heat: Daily routines were structured to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Travel and strenuous activities were often done in the early morning or after sunset, when temperatures dropped. Many people would sleep during the day and be active at night.

• Wear loose, breathable clothing: The traditional garments for both men and women—the thobe (a long, loose robe for men) and the abaya (a similar garment for women)—are not just cultural or religious attire, but highly practical. These garments are typically made of light, breathable fabrics, and their loose fit allows air to circulate between the body and the fabric, creating a natural cooling effect. The head coverings worn by men, such as the ghutra and shemagh, also provide protection from direct sun exposure.

• Stay hydrated: Traditional diets emphasized water-rich foods like watermelon, and people would drink copious amounts of water and other cool beverages to stay hydrated.
  

Architectural Innovations 🏡

Traditional Saudi architecture was ingeniously designed to combat the heat, with many features that promoted natural cooling.

• Thick Walls and Small Windows: Traditional houses were built with thick walls made of materials like mud, clay, or coral stone. These materials have a high thermal mass, meaning they absorb heat slowly during the day and release it at night. This created a cool, insulated interior during the day and a warm interior at night. The houses also featured small windows to minimize the amount of direct sunlight entering the building.

• Courtyards and Ventilation: Many traditional homes were built around a central courtyard. This open-air space acted as a microclimate regulator. At night, the courtyard would radiate heat into the atmosphere and cool down. The surrounding rooms would then draw in the cool, dense air from the courtyard, providing natural ventilation. This design also helped maintain privacy, as windows typically faced inwards toward the courtyard.

• Mashrabiya and Rawasheen: In coastal cities like Jeddah, a common feature was the mashrabiya or rawashan, which are ornate, latticed wooden screens that project from the upper floors of a building. These screens served a dual purpose: they provided shade and privacy while also allowing cool sea breezes to enter the building. Sometimes, water jars were placed in them, and as air passed over the wet surface, it would cool through evaporative cooling.