CREATIVES from across the Gulf are bringing regional folklore to life in a month-long challenge that invites participants to illustrate a different legend or mythical character every day in October.
The annual Folktober challenge, or ‘Kharareef Al Khaleej’ (Gulf myths), has returned for a third year with a fresh set of art prompts inspired by astronomy, the sea, the land and fantastical creatures.
The title of this year’s challenge also features a play on words, with ‘folk’ rendered in Arabic script to resemble ‘falak’, meaning the universe or dazzling objects in the night sky.
Launched by Emirati artist Mohamed ‘MJ’ AlJneibi, Folktober is described as ‘a daily practice with a distinctly Khaleeji spirit’ aimed at exploring Gulf and Arab cultural heritage.
The challenge is inspired by Inktober, a popular online initiative in which illustrators create a new ink-on-paper drawing each day based on a series of prompts throughout the month.
Folktober’s 2026 list is split into four topics: celestial objects, the sea, the desert and mountains, and creatures like jinn and amaliqa (giants).
The selection draws on Arab and Middle Eastern folklore, featuring stars steeped in traditional tales alongside marine creatures, palm-roaming spirits and more.
“This year’s prompts were a little difficult to curate, because we went over most of the well-known myths in the past two years,” Mr AlJneibi told the GDN.
“I began with stories about the stars. I found it notable how Arabs in the olden times viewed stars and constellations. They gave each its own narratives, which I find beautiful and inspiring,” the cartoonist added.
Folktober has continued to evolve over the years. Its 2024 prompts featured beloved and feared folklore figures like the donkey monster Um Hmaar or the sleep paralysis demon ‘Jathoom’, while the 2025 edition ventured deeper into mythologies rooted in ancient civilisations of modern-day Arabia.
Now in its third year, the challenge is in full swing, with Khaleeji creatives sharing their interpretations on Instagram. Around 20 to 25 artists participate every day.
Bahraini cartoonist Nujood ‘Angie’ Al Mahmood is among those participating and told the GDN that Folktober has become something she eagerly anticipates each year.
“I used to participate in Inktober, but when I discovered there was a challenge dedicated to Gulf folktales and stories, I knew I couldn’t miss it,” she said.
“Every year, I brainstorm, explore new ideas, and challenge myself to bring each folktale to life in my own style. Most importantly, this experience reminds me to experiment and create without judgment.”
Warith Al Hosni, a surrealist artist from Oman, is also taking part, putting his own twist to the challenge by outfitting the characters with armour and archaic weaponry.
“The fun thing about Folktober is that it feeds us stories, and we in turn transform them into living art pieces,” Mr Al Hosni, who draws in a semi-realistic fantasy style, told the GDN.
“Since there isn’t a clear visual resource for these tales, I thought it would be nice if I drew them as fantasy characters with shields and weapons.
“Equipped with weapons, every one of these characters is able to face their own fate in their own story.”
Mr Al Hosni, who is participating for the second year, added that his work as an art teacher motivates him to continue developing his style and expanding his artistic range.
Meanwhile, Emirati artist Maitha AlHadhrami, known as ‘Almaith’, who previously spoke to the GDN about Folktober 2025, has returned to the challenge with new artwork.
“I was actually thinking of taking a break this year, but when I saw that some of the themes were about stars, I knew I had to do it,” she said.
“I’ve always been a friend of the stars and the moon. I’m not really interested in astronomy as a science, but I’m fascinated by the stories our ancestors created around the stars—how they gave each star its own story based on its position in the sky.
“As for themes of jinn and mythical creatures, these are literally taken straight from the stories of our families.”
The list includes the sun, moon, constellations like the Big Dipper and Orion, as well as an assortment of ogres, sea beasts and monstrous animals. Among the jinn creatures is Do’aidi, a fearsome spirit who roams graveyards and dark palm fields – a staple of Bahraini folklore.
Art lovers are welcome to join the Folktober challenge - the prompts can be found on Mr AlJneibi’s Instagram page, @_mj88_.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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