A craft of the home
Arabic kohl is a fine black eyeliner powder made from natural ingredients. It is tied to the life of Bedouin and nomadic tribes, and to rural, marshland and fishing communities across the Arab region.
How it is prepared depends on the local setting. It is made at home or at gatherings, mostly by women.
More than adornment
People of all genders use it. It protects the eyes from wind, sand and sun, and it appears in daily life, on special occasions and in religious rituals. It is also a mark of community identity.
Kohl is kept in decorative containers called makhala, often handed down as family keepsakes. Women pass the craft to their daughters and granddaughters. UNESCO listed Arabic kohl in 2025, as heritage shared by nine countries including Saudi Arabia.