Rafha’s postman recalls the era of handwritten letters

For decades, the postman in Rafha was a symbol of connection among residents, long before the advent of modern communication. The local post office was a daily destination for sending letters to family and loved ones in distant regions.

Saudi Post was established in 1926 to provide postal services nationwide. Letters were handwritten, placed in distinctive white envelopes marked with blue and red dashed lines, addressed by hand, sealed with glue, and stamped with commemorative postage reflecting key moments in the Kingdom’s history.

Mail could be sent as regular or registered post, the latter allowing tracking and return if undelivered. The postman’s rounds were more than routine—they were woven into daily life and even celebrated in poetry and popular culture. Dressed in uniform and carrying his bag, the postman traveled by bicycle from house to house.

Historic routes in northern Saudi Arabia

Fahad Khalaf Al-Jabhan, a former Saudi Post employee in the Northern Borders region, explained that historic villages such as Lina, Umm Radmah, Luqah, and Al-Duwaid served as key stops for telegrams and letters, following caravan routes and historic paths, especially the “Darb Zubaydah.”

Beyond delivering correspondence, the postal service also introduced people to one another by publishing their photos and hobbies in newspapers and magazines. Despite technological advances, these villages remain a testament to the beginnings of human connection in northern Saudi Arabia and their role in preserving bonds during the era of handwritten letters.