Subabat: Tales of Sisterhood in Hospitality

A photo essay that recounts the history of Saudi women freelancers working in the hospitality field known as “Subabas” or coffee caterers, in Riyadh specifically, the social and economic factors that contributed to shaping their profession, their clear impact on the local and regional hospitality culture, the reasons behind their popularity despite the monopoly and competition practiced by commercial and other hospitality companies, and more.