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Westminsterresearch Cultural Preservation in a Saudi Domestic WestminsterResearch http://www.westminster.ac.uk/westminsterresearch Cultural Preservation in a Saudi Domestic Environment in the Eastern Province Aljamea, M. This is an electronic version of a PhD thesis awarded by the University of Westminster. © Ms May Aljamea, 2018. The WestminsterResearch online digital archive at the University of Westminster aims to make the research output of the University available to a wider audience. Copyright and Moral Rights remain with the authors and/or copyright owners. Whilst further distribution of specific materials from within this archive is forbidden, you may freely distribute the URL of WestminsterResearch: ((http://westminsterresearch.wmin.ac.uk/). In case of abuse or copyright appearing without permission e-mail [email protected] Cultural Preservation in a Saudi Domestic Environment in the Eastern Province MAY M. ALJAMEA A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Westminster for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy June 2018 This thesis is dedicated to my beloved children, Salma, Lama and Yousuf II Abstract This study constructs new understandings regarding the impact of the transformations that have taken place in the domestic environment of Saudi Arabia following the discovery of oil. While most previous research in this area has highlighted the loss of identity caused by this transformation, my research reveals how these developments have also resulted in new modes of cultural preservation in a domestic environment. It also explores the significant role of private museum making as a network of cultural practices that reflect and preserve Saudi culture for future generations. Despite the high price of land for housing and construction materials, some individuals in Saudi society have invested their savings to collect and preserve traditional artefacts in private museums in their homes. Through analysis of a number of such examples in the Eastern Province, with an in-depth study of one, this research explores the relationship between cultural practice, cultural preservation and resilience, and interprets this from an architecture perspective. Framed by a set of key theoretical concepts (cultural trauma, cultural resilience and cultural preservation), this study aims to highlight the positive cultural adaptation of domestic environments after the rapid transformation brought about by the discovery of oil. An in-depth qualitative case study provides an example of how a resident transformed an imported, villa style residence to reflect her identity, religion, culture, and past experience and how, through a practice of museum making in her home, not only translated her memories, identity, tangible and intangible heritage into a museum, but also gave herself new agency in public life. This research offers fresh perspective and insight into the role of women as social influencers and explores their creative ability in cultural preservation. These findings fill a knowledge gap in the study of home interiors and cultural preservation, explained with reference to two intersecting perspectives: the transformation of the national discourse on heritage and the transformation of the role of women on Saudi society. It also shows evidence of the shift that occurred from the oil boom in 1938 to the museum boom in 2014. This research explores and identifies the Private Museum Movement (PMM), defining it as: an individual’s attempt to preserve Saudi cultural heritage through the practice of museum-making within their private home. III Acknowledgements This research could not have been accomplished without the help and support of many people and institutions. It is my pleasure to thank them all. First, I would like to thank the University of Dammam for offering a scholarship that enabled me to undertake my doctoral study in the University of Westminster in London. My deepest thanks to his Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf Al Saud, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Kingdom, for the encouragement and appreciation he has bestowed upon academic achievement. I would also like to express my gratitude to the Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau in London for their support. Many thanks to my supervisor, Professor Lindsay Bremner, for the time she took to offer advice and detailed comments throughout this academic undertaking. Her insightful feedback has been invaluable in developing this work and providing new perspective. Without her support, this thesis could not have been accomplished. I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to my second supervisor, Samir Pandya, for his ideas, references and challenging questions during our supervisory meetings. Special thanks to my family. I offer my unending thanks to my parents, Mohammed Al Jamea and Monerah Al Soqair, for their continuing prayers, support and encouragement for the achievement of my goals. Special thanks to my husband, Nabeel Al Jama, for his help and patience during my long journey. My profound thanks to my beloved children, Salma, Lama and Yousef, who spent four years with me in London, where they faced all the new experiences and challenges with me. Thanks, also, to my sister for her support during her PhD journey at King’s College in London, which was completed last year. In addition, I offer my deepest gratitude to my brother, Abdullah, who visited all of the historical sites in the Eastern Province with me. Finally, I am sincerely thankful to my brother, Hamid, for his spiritual support and encouragement during these crucial times. My sincere thanks to the staff of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, who were very accommodating and compliant in providing the data required in this research. Special thanks Dr. Alzahrani Awad, the General Manager of the Museums Department of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, who followed up numerous requests for references, reports and statistical materials on private museum in the Kingdom IV of Saudi Arabia. In addition, I offer my thanks to Mr. Al-Kuwaiti, a tour guide who lives in Al-Ahsa, who guided me during many of my site visits. I would also like to offer my sincere thanks to Sheikh Sulaiman Al-Majid, an expert on Al-Hofuf history and the creator of Al- Naathil private museum, for his time and hospitability during my visit to his museum. My deepest gratitude to Mrs. Munira Al-Ashgar, whose cooperation and participation during this research was absolutely invaluable in the collection of data during the case study work. Her patience, generosity, knowledge and motivation in cultural preservation during my several visits played an invaluable role in my research. Her private museum was a significant part of my research and presents a unique case of the role played by a Saudi woman in cultural preservation. Finally, I would like to thank the organisations and institutions that gave me an opportunity to share my knowledge and receive valuable feedback in the development of my work, such as the Network for European Architectural Research (ARENA), which accepted the presentation of my research in Brussels at the Architecture Research Moments in 2015. I would also like to offer my thanks to the organisation committee conference at the Reading Architecture across the Arts and Humanities in the University of Stirling in Scotland 2015. This was a unique experience that gave me a positive perspective and confidence about my work. My thanks are also extended to the organisation committee of the Annual International Conference on Sustainable Human Development in Brunel University in London 2014. V Table of Contents Abstract .............................................................................................................................................. II Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................... IV Table of contents ............................................................................................................................... VI List of Figures .................................................................................................................................... X List of Tables .................................................................................................................................. XV Declaration .................................................................................................................................... XVI Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Research significance .................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Research aims, objectives and questions ...................................................................................... 6 1.2.1 Research aims ........................................................................................................................ 6 1.2.2 Research objectives ................................................................................................................ 6 1.2.3 Research questions ................................................................................................................. 7 1.3 Research setting ............................................................................................................................ 7 1.3.1 Why the Eastern Province? .................................................................................................... 7 1.3.2 The
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