Arabic origins

Lyala, Ayyalah

The most characteristic dance of the Arabian Peninsula is Aarda, and it is practised with several variations across the region. In the UAE, the local version is called the Lyala, or the Ayyalah. The dramatic performances of Lyala preserve poems which originated in the great plateau of Najd, and its name originates from the Arabic expression for imminent danger – iyala means attacker. When faced with an approaching threat, drums and loud shouts would rouse men to defend their camp, and after the attackers were successfully warded off, they would dance to celebrate victory.

Harbiyah

Harbiyah is another variation of the Aarda in the UAE, and is predominant in Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah. The name of the dance is drawn from harb, the Arabic word for war. Much like Lyala, this dance is performed by two or four lines of men confronting each other, but it differs greatly in the recitation which is based on repetitive phrases – very often romantic in nature – and in the dance, that is punctuated by shots from rifles. The two main formations of dancers are equipped with swords and sticks, while they systematically and rhythmically approach the other. The rifle carriers, meanwhile, are placed in between rows and they take turns at spinning, throwing, and performing tricks with their dummy rifles which are made of wood and metal plating.

Mated

Drawing from the word Mawlid, the birthday of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), Mated is different from other performing arts of the UAE because of its association with a religious occasion, and is not labelled as a dance. Based on long-standing Sufi traditions, the first part, Mated Al Samaa, consists solely of readings about the life of the Prophet. In the second part, Mated Al Radida, two rows of people face each other. While one recites poetry praising the Prophet, to the tune of accompanying tambourines, the other row acts as a chorus. The long poems and litanies used during Mated evoke gratitude towards Allah, and praise of the Prophet in the highest terms. An evergreen favourite is the Qasidat Al Burda (the poem of the mantle), written by an Egyptian Sufi poet in the 13th century in praise of the Prophet, who cured the poet of paralysis by wrapping him in a mantle, in a dream.

Haban, Khamiri, Khayali

Haban, a local folk dance based on indigenous traditions, is also known as Khamiri or Khayali. The name derives from the stringed musical instrument which dominates the dance. A typical performance is organised with three groups: the first comprises between six to eight men, the second is an equal number of women, and the third is made up of up to ten musicians. Both male and female dancers move forwards and backwards in a steady two-step rhythm, and they are paced by the musicians who play between the rows. It is the player of the haban who leads the performance, and he is accompanied by drums of different dimensions, and other rhythmic instruments. Many troupes perform this special dance across the UAE, particularly at weddings in Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah.

Raks Al Na’ashar, Khaleeji

Performed with variations across the Gulf States, Raks Al Na’ashar or Khaleeji is performed by young girls at public ceremonies and social occasions, and by older women at closed-door private events. It is common to see young girls in vividly coloured dresses perform what is popularly known as the hair dance. For both girls and women, the basic routine is a simple step-close-step-close limp walk, with the fabric of their robe held up and fluttered. Besides deft footwork, other highlights include chest and shoulder movements, spinning and shimmying, and head slides. However, the prominent feature of the dance is the hair throwing. Typically, dancers whirl their hair in circulatory and side-to-side motions, in one direction and then in reverse. When the music reaches a climax, the hair tosses are usually performed in a kneeling position and can build up to a point where their hair creates a series of figure eights.