Al-Zabeel: the palm-frond container used in the date harvest
RIYADH AL-KHABRA, September 28, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Al-Zabeel, a container woven from palm fronds and leaves, was once used to collect and carry dates during harvest season, SPA reported.
Lightweight and durable, it was part of daily life in agricultural communities. It was usually circular or oval, with a base that helped it stand upright and, in some versions, handles for carrying the harvest.
Making Al-Zabeel began with selecting and cleaning palm fronds. The leaves could be dried in sunlight or softened with water before being braided by hand. A craftsperson then shaped the woven material and stitched it together using palm fibre or leaf ropes, adding side handles where needed.
The method was passed down through generations, linking the container to both the date harvest and the craft of working with palm leaves.
Source: SPA
