Also known as Jabal Ikmah, the site lies near the ancient city of Dadan and has long been regarded as one of AlUla’s most significant archaeological landmarks, preserving hundreds of inscriptions carved into sandstone canyon walls thousands of years ago.

Now activated as part of AlUla’s winter cultural season, Ikmah is being reimagined after sunset, allowing visitors to explore its heritage in an atmospheric setting illuminated by candlelight and guided narratives.

Often described as an open-air library, the mountain hosts inscriptions written primarily in Dadanitic and Lihyanite scripts, offering rare insight into the social, religious, and political life of early Arabian kingdoms.

These ancient carvings once recorded religious offerings, laws, names of rulers, and moments of daily life, reflecting AlUla’s role as a major crossroads for trade, belief, and culture long before the Nabataean era.

The nighttime experience introduces guests to the world of ancient scribes, welcoming them with traditional hospitality before guiding them through a carefully curated journey across the gorge.

Visitors are divided into small groups, allowing some to explore the canyon while others learn how ancient inscriptions were carved, using replicas of traditional tools on stone blocks they can take home.

The elevated gorge pathway is softly lit with candles, creating a contemplative atmosphere that encourages visitors to slow down and absorb the surroundings while learning about the people who once passed through this valley.

Guides dressed in historical attire narrate stories in poetic language, explaining how Ikmah once served as a resting point for travelers who brought their animals, shared stories, and found water along ancient routes.

Storytelling emerges as a central theme of the experience, reflecting how oral tradition and written expression worked together to preserve knowledge and identity over generations.

As the two groups reunite, guests are invited to gather, rest, and enjoy dates, tea, and light refreshments, echoing the communal traditions that once defined life in this region.

Though the format is modern, the essence of the experience is deeply rooted in ancient customs, emphasizing human connection, shared history, and cultural continuity.

Local guides play a vital role in bringing Ikmah’s past to life, bridging generations by sharing stories that were nearly forgotten until archaeological discoveries brought them back into public awareness.

For many guides, the project is also a personal journey of rediscovery, offering an opportunity to reconnect with ancestral heritage and pass that knowledge on to visitors from around the world.

Learning about the ancient history of AlUla has been transformative for those involved, revealing layers of identity and belonging that extend far beyond contemporary narratives.

The experience reflects a broader effort to preserve and present Saudi Arabia’s pre-Islamic history in ways that are respectful, immersive, and accessible to global audiences.

Ikmah After Dark demonstrates how heritage sites can be activated without disturbing their integrity, using light, storytelling, and education rather than heavy infrastructure.

As AlUla continues to position itself as a global cultural destination, initiatives like this highlight the region’s commitment to safeguarding history while inviting meaningful engagement.

The ancient scripts of Ikmah, once silent on canyon walls, are now speaking again, reminding visitors that history is not only something to observe, but something to experience.

Rooted in centuries-old practice, the Tantora is a traditional sundial once used by AlUla’s residents to track seasonal changes and determine the beginning of the agricultural cycle, reflecting a sophisticated understanding of nature’s rhythms.

Its reappearance is more than a ceremonial event, as it represents the preservation of intangible heritage that shaped daily life, social organization, and farming practices across generations in this historic oasis region.

The ceremony highlights the arrival of Al-Marba’aniyah, an important winter period that historically guided planting schedules, water use, and preparation for colder months among farming communities.

By bringing the Tantora back into public life, AlUla reinforces the idea that heritage is not confined to museums but can remain active, shared, and relevant in contemporary society.

The event forms part of broader efforts to safeguard cultural identity while encouraging meaningful engagement between residents, visitors, and the stories embedded in AlUla’s landscape.

A carefully curated program accompanies the ceremony, offering traditional performances, artisan showcases, and immersive demonstrations that recreate scenes from everyday life in AlUla’s past.

These activities allow visitors to experience how earlier generations read shadows, observed the sun’s movement, and aligned their livelihoods with natural cycles rather than mechanical timekeeping.

Educational sessions explore the scientific and cultural dimensions of the Tantora, revealing how simple yet precise tools once played a central role in sustaining agricultural communities.

The celebration also strengthens intergenerational bonds, as elders share knowledge with younger audiences, ensuring that oral traditions and practical wisdom are passed forward.

Community participation lies at the heart of the revival, transforming the ceremony into a shared cultural moment rather than a static historical reenactment.

The event reflects a wider commitment to integrating heritage preservation with sustainable development, ensuring that cultural assets contribute to economic vitality and social well-being.

AlUla’s approach demonstrates how protecting heritage can coexist with innovation, tourism development, and global cultural exchange without losing authenticity.

The ceremony aligns with broader national goals that emphasize quality of life, balanced growth, and pride in local identity, positioning culture as a driver of sustainable progress.

As part of the wider Winter at Tantora celebrations, the revival adds depth to a season already rich in artistic, musical, and culinary experiences.

Visitors can explore Old Town Nights, street art tours, handicraft-focused events, and performances that collectively celebrate creativity rooted in history.

These offerings present AlUla as a living cultural landscape where past and present intersect, inviting global audiences to engage with heritage in meaningful ways.

The return of the Tantora Ceremony stands as a powerful reminder that cultural traditions remain relevant when they are lived, shared, and continually reinterpreted.

By honoring seasonal knowledge and community memory, AlUla reinforces its role as a guardian of heritage while confidently shaping a culturally rich future.