According to visual director AlDowayan, the costume design and make-up (face and arm markings) take inspiration from traditional Nabatean motifs. She involved artisans from across AlUla in the creation of costumes—blending traditional designs with contemporary aesthetics—using native dyes and pigments (henna, saffron, turmeric) to elicit the natural tones of the desert landscape. 

The Matriarch (wearing a henna red gown), having descended from her mountaintop abode, partners with the Shaman (wearing black) to transfer the tribal wisdom recorded beneath a stone tablet (part of the set) to the next generation (the Vessel and Twin). In the traditional world of shamanism, one typically goes through a near death experience and returns to the world of the living to heal and harmonize the relationship between human and spirit realms. Hence, the Vessel and the Twin go through intense scenes of convulsing and collapse to be reborn to their new roles as wisdom holders─symbolizing renewal for the community.  

Amidst the drama enacted by the four protagonists, the other dancers form a tribal chorus dancing a compelling unison choreography introduced with the commanding female voices of the London Bulgarian Choir. The chorus sways, rocks, dances a two-step, and draws fists in iconic postures of feminine unity. Notably, the dancers’ long, loose hair becomes a signature choreographic element. With movements of braiding, wringing, combing, massaging, painting, and forceful tugging; hair is more than a crowning feature in this dance. When the dancers thread their fingers through their tresses and form a crown mudra above their head, it symbolizes power. When the Vessel and the Twin sit back-to-back and the Shaman braids their hair together, it suggests a sharing of life energy. When the Vessel uses her locks to paint the secrets from the stone onto the ground, it represents the passing down of knowledge and collective survival. The costumes are also integrated into the movement to create drama—as when the dancers’ lift and spread their sashes over their faces like veils or bite them as if to control rage or pain.