The concept of home holds a multiplicity of meanings, nuanced and deeply personal, varying significantly across individuals and cultures. For some, home is a physical space imbued with personal values and memories; for others, it serves as an environment where physiological needs are met, and personal identities are expressed. Traditional studies have primarily focused on home in permanent settings, addressing the experiences of citizens and immigrants who establish long-term residences in new countries. More transient arrangements, such as those of refugees and temporary immigrants, have also garnered attention. However, the experiences of individuals who willingly relocate to new countries for temporary purposes, such as education or accompanying someone who is studying, remain less explored. This chapter seeks to address this gap by examining the experiences of Saudis living in the UK, particularly those who have relocated to the Northwest for educational pursuits. It investigates how these expatriates recreate their home environments and express their cultural heritage through both intangible cultural practices and tangible cultural artifacts. Building on my PhD research, this chapter expands the exploration of Saudi cultural practices from permanent home settings in Saudi Arabia to temporary home recreations in diaspora contexts. Through interviews, observations, and auto-photography, this chapter demonstrates how Saudis convey their sense of home both tangibly and intangibly. Sensory and social practices, such as the scent of bakhour (incense), the aroma of gahwa arabi (Arabic coffee), and the gathering of friends for extended visits, are central to the experience of home, enhancing a sense of belonging and cultural continuity. Tangible representations include the taste of coffee paired with dates and sweets, walls adorned with Quranic verses and family photos, a designated prayer mat space, and an assortment of traditional homemade and store-bought delicacies. In this way, this chapter reveals how Saudis abroad re-create comforting home environments that sustain their cultural identity and sensory heritage. Through intangible cultural heritage lens, this chapter argues that both tangible artefacts and intangible sensory experiences contribute significantly to the Saudis’ sense of home, allowing them to navigate their identities in a new cultural landscape.

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Home Atmosphere Transmission through Intangible and Material Culture: Saudis Living in the UK

  • Noor Jamil Ragaban

摘要

The concept of home holds a multiplicity of meanings, nuanced and deeply personal, varying significantly across individuals and cultures. For some, home is a physical space imbued with personal values and memories; for others, it serves as an environment where physiological needs are met, and personal identities are expressed. Traditional studies have primarily focused on home in permanent settings, addressing the experiences of citizens and immigrants who establish long-term residences in new countries. More transient arrangements, such as those of refugees and temporary immigrants, have also garnered attention. However, the experiences of individuals who willingly relocate to new countries for temporary purposes, such as education or accompanying someone who is studying, remain less explored. This chapter seeks to address this gap by examining the experiences of Saudis living in the UK, particularly those who have relocated to the Northwest for educational pursuits. It investigates how these expatriates recreate their home environments and express their cultural heritage through both intangible cultural practices and tangible cultural artifacts. Building on my PhD research, this chapter expands the exploration of Saudi cultural practices from permanent home settings in Saudi Arabia to temporary home recreations in diaspora contexts. Through interviews, observations, and auto-photography, this chapter demonstrates how Saudis convey their sense of home both tangibly and intangibly. Sensory and social practices, such as the scent of bakhour (incense), the aroma of gahwa arabi (Arabic coffee), and the gathering of friends for extended visits, are central to the experience of home, enhancing a sense of belonging and cultural continuity. Tangible representations include the taste of coffee paired with dates and sweets, walls adorned with Quranic verses and family photos, a designated prayer mat space, and an assortment of traditional homemade and store-bought delicacies. In this way, this chapter reveals how Saudis abroad re-create comforting home environments that sustain their cultural identity and sensory heritage. Through intangible cultural heritage lens, this chapter argues that both tangible artefacts and intangible sensory experiences contribute significantly to the Saudis’ sense of home, allowing them to navigate their identities in a new cultural landscape.