In these houses, the guest room becomes a collective work

In the Saudi region of Asir, a room intended to receive can wear highly organized geometric patterns on its walls. This decoration is part of al-Qatt al-Asiri, an interior art traditionally practiced by women. The house thus becomes a place to welcome also means to show a know-how.

The bottom is usually made of white gypsum. To realize the shapes and symbols, women invite relatives of different ages to participate. Observation and practice allow the youngest to learn: the result visible on the wall therefore also retains the trace of a shared work.

Tradition did not stand still in this configuration alone. UNESCO points out that today artists, designers and architects, both men and women, also practice it, sometimes on other media. Some residents have created galleries in their homes to preserve it. A decor designed for guests can thus become the starting point of a transmission far beyond the home.