The room
A majlis is a sitting place where members of a community gather. It is usually a large space with carpets on the floor and cushions along the walls, and a stove or fire for making coffee and other hot drinks. It can be an open-air circle, a Bedouin tent, a tent in a courtyard or a modern room with screens.
It is open to all: family, tribe and neighbours near and far. Elders who know nature, genealogy and tribal history are its key keepers. Women have their own majlis too.
What happens there
People discuss local events, exchange news, receive guests and enjoy each other's company. The majlis is also where problems are resolved, condolences paid, wedding receptions held and poetry recited. Arabic coffee is made and incense, dukhoon, is burned.
Children learn it by going along with adults, picking up manners, listening and respect for other views. UNESCO listed the majlis in 2015 on a joint nomination from four countries, Saudi Arabia among them.