On the National day, we would like to share with you in this section some of the traditional group performances which are performed during the national occasions and are defined according to the UNESCO as ‘Intangible Heritage’.
This is very important factor in preserving the cultural diversity while facing the growing globalisation.
The following traditional performances are the most common in the national celebrations:
Perhaps the best -known traditional performance in the United Arab Emirates, Al-Ayyala is an expressive traditional cultural performance by men and boys who hold thin bamboo canes and move in unison to a steady drummed rhythm. Al-Ayyala involves dancing troupes, poetry, chants and drummers and is performed at weddings, on national holidays and other celebrations, as well as welcome ceremonies for visiting heads of state.
Al-Razfa is a traditional performing art comprising poetry and rhythm that is deeply rooted in United Arab Emirates culture. The songs have been preserved in Emirati culture for many years and provide participants with a sense of identity and pride till this day.
The PerformanceDuring the performance of Al-Razfa, two rows of men and boys face each other at about 10–20 metres apart, with drummers and other musicians gathered nearby. They perform movements with their bamboo canes in unison to the music. It starts with a handful of individuals but quickly builds into a larger group. The two rows of performers move in cohesion and sing verses of poetry to each other. Al-Razfa creates a sense of community and shared identity among its performers, particularly at social events and on national occasions.
Al-Azi is characterised by the powerful voices of the poet and the chorus who ‘answers’ him. The chorus members hold mock rifles and stand in rows behind the poet, who holds a sword. The call-and-response performance conveys a sense of unity and solidarity, while the symbolic weapons signify courage.
Al-Azi was performed regularly by desert communities across the United Arab Emirates until the mid-20th century, when the practice became less widespread as people began moving to cities in large numbers. With support from the community, government authorities and growing Emirati interest in preserving heritage, Al-Azi has since been revived. It is regularly performed at weddings, national celebrations and religious holidays, as well as other special events and ceremonies.
Al-Taghrooda has its origins in the desert, the mountainous regions and rural villages of the UAE and is a form of improvised poetry it is considered as a beloved component of Emirati culture.
Al-Taghrooda poetry is straightforward and does not use complex metaphors. One of its most important traditional functions was to document the social and cultural history of the region. Poems are frequently cited in daily conversations. Today, Al-Taghrooda performances give Emirati audiences insights into their history, culture and traditions. In a change from the past, Al-Taghrooda is not necessarily accompanied by chanting and is enjoyed in written and recorded form, as well as at live events.
These poems are chanted around campfires, at weddings, at camel races and at heritage and national festivals.
It is a performance of the people living in the desert and similar to the Aiyala. It is also a dance of the Ardah, the Aiyala and the Razef and it can be performed in group. It is performed on a single melodic sentence, and is not accompanied by any rhythm or musical instrument. Nowadays, some musical instruments such as the oud and the org are added to it. As for the Harbiya songs or poems, they are often upbeat. Some love poems have been added to this dance recently in some popular weddings.
The Harbiya is performed by a group of men in two opposite rows, each row approaching the other in a rhythmic movement from time to time during the performance of the dance, and a group carrying guns and sticks performs rhythmic movements between the two rows. In the event of an increase in the number of participants in the dance, the rows are divided into three or four rows according to the number.
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