I always enjoy discussions with Moudy, my Saudi mother-in-law. http://americanbedu.com/2008/08/06/the-story-of-moudy/ Each and every time I sit and speak with her I learn more about life and traditions of Saudi Arabia both present and past. She shared an experience about the olden times when soldiers in the Saudi Army used to not only be paid in cash, but the Saudi currency at the time were silver coins instead of the paper riyals of today.
In the early days when the Kingdom was newly established (circa 1940’s) it was not unusual for Saudi Army personnel who were posted in remote areas of the Kingdom to go three to four months without pay. There was a primary individual with the army whose job was to deliver the payroll to these remote outposts. He would travel with a group of soldiers whose job was to protect him and the payroll. In those times they traveled slowly in dilapidated Army trucks which were prone to break downs (kind of similar to army vehicles of today’s times as well). This was a dangerous task as the man would be traveling with such large amounts of cash and a trip to an Army outpost in Najran for example would take several days to reach. Thieves and bandits were known to lurk along these routes.
During one such trip to Najran when the man was responsible for the payroll and was bringing Najran personnel four months of back pay his convoy set up camp enroute to their destination. They would prepare their evening meal in the traditional way building a fire and placing a large pot atop the fire in order to cook one of Saudi’s most traditional and popular dishes, kupsa. http://americanbedu.com/2007/10/18/native-saudi-food/ While the kupsa was cooking atop the fire the men noticed an approaching group who appeared to be bandits and greatly outnumbered that of their own group of men. The man, thinking quickly on his feet, did not want the bandits to steal the payroll.
The payroll of silver coins was transported in a large bag very similar to the ones used to carry rice. The man quickly opened the bag and threw all the coins into the big pot with the cooking kupsa, stirring the pot so the coins disappeared down into the bottom of the pot. As they expected, armed bandits arrived wanting their money. The man told them that they had no money, they had already dispensed the payroll and were now on their return but stopping to have their dinner. All they had were the arms which they carried for protection. The bandits were disappointed but on searching through the various bags and boxes believed the man was telling the truth and after some grumbling and taking weapons, the bandits left the area.
Once the man was certain the bandits were gone and out of earshot he instructed his men to retrieve all the silver coins from the kupsa pot and proceed on their way to Najran. The payroll was successfully delivered thanks to the Kupsa that saved the day.
Filed under: Food, Interview, Saudi Arabia
Poor bandits. Heh.
Kupsa saved the pay!
If you have the recipe for kupsa, care to share it with us so that I can ask my mum to cook Saudi dishes for a change?
If you do a search in my search bar for kupsa, you will find my recipe!
Actually Firdaus, no need to search. I included the link in the post called “native Saudi food.” Enjoy!
Amazing, I liked this story. Thanks AmericanBedu for sharing. This man shows how people can be faithful to their job.
That was an interesting story on outwitting the bandits. I believe some of the remote locations are still not connected by roads. Is it so?
cute story.. I used to like hearing my FILs stories of saudi old times. He had some interesting tales to tell.
Glad all are enjoying. And yes, expatguru, some regions are still quite remote without roads!
My MIL is still visiting with me so this is an opportune time for ya’ll to give me questions that you’d like answered about earlier times in Saudi Arabia!
That’s such a great story! Looking forward to hearing more. I am a big kupsa fan too, and now whenever we have it, I will think of your story!
glad to hear that, Susie!
exciting adventure!
I would like to know about shopping. where and how did your MIL get all her food and householdgoods and clothing?
I understand you now have malls everywhere, but you need to go there by car, as you will have to travel too far to get to most shops to do it on foot, but it must have been very different say 50 years ago.
Wonderful Story!I’d like to know;did the women sew their own dresses?,How did they preserve food?Is it possible to garden in a dessert?,During childbirth who cared for them?
How did they keep house back before modern convienences’?.
Thank you! I will have fun practicing my arabic shortly!
Love the story!!
glad you enjoyed Mrs. C
What did they use to build a fire? I know in the old days in the US, they used buffalo chips to light a fire. Am wondering if camel chips are useful in the same way.
What kind of bread did they make and how did they make it? I would like to know more about the tattooing of women’s faces – what do the various patterns symbolize, at what age did the tattooing begin, did the girls have a choice to do it or not etc.
What a wonderful story! The simplest of ideas often prove the most valuable.
What a great story. This looks like a delicious recipe. Could you share it?
Expat 21
“Expat Abroad” in the Middle East
expat21.wordpress.com
Irish – I will have to ask my MIL your questions!
expat – if you click the link within the post about native Saudi foods you’ll find my kupsa recipe. It is easy and delicious!
I’d be curious to learn whether Saudi women of your MIL’s age had any consciousness that there were other Saudi women who were very different in their manners, dress, activities, etc.
For example–and here I’m assuming that your MIL is a Sunni of Nejdi origins–did she know that there were tribes in which women never exposed their faces, even to their husbands? Did she have any sense that Hijazi women were ‘loose’ in the way they did not comply with the strictest of dress codes?
If so, how were these different women judged or assessed?
John,
Thanks for your queries. I have added them to the list.
Best Regards,
Carol
What a great story! And what a great opportunity for you and your Mother-in-law to connect, giving her a chance to tell her story, and giving you a chance to get to know more by asking her questions. Lucky her, lucky YOU.
Masha’Allah what a moving story. Yes do take full advantage of having chat time with ur MIL it would prove very informative and masha’Allah great bonding time!!! I miss my chats with my in-laws sometimes. I’m looking forward to more answers of the above questions.
My dear MIL is aware that I need to sit and ask her more questions. I hope to have that opportunity very soon!
AA Carol,
I really enjoy your MIL’s stories! I don’t have any questions for her but please tell her that I really enjoy her sharing them with us and hope she’ll tell more!!! ; )
AA Tina,
I will tell her with pleasure.
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