Al-Ayyala, a traditional dance in Abu Dhabi Al-Ayyala is an embodiment of United Arab Emirates culture and Emirati values and heritage

Perhaps the best -known traditional performance in the United Arab Emirates, Al-Ayyala is an expressive cultural folk 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 drum music, and takes place at weddings, national holidays and other celebrations. These performances are often held in the presence of heads of state during welcome ceremonies.

Deeply embedded in United Arab Emirates culture, Al-Ayyala exemplifies the ethos and gallantry of Bedouin life and reinforces the values of dignity and honour. Because it reflects the heritage and values of Emirati culture, the performance has become a symbol of national identity and union, and an integral part of celebrations

Symbolic battle
Al-Ayyala involves two rows of 20 or more performers facing each other. The members of each row hold together so well that they appear close together, with each man holding the hand of the other, with his otherhand around his waist, indicating cohesion and tribal cooperation. In the middle of the two rows is a band that handles the music, including brass, drums, tambourines and others. At the same time, the men chant encouraging lines of verse, often from Nabati poetry, on the topics of valour and chivalry.

Different types of poems are used as appropriate to the occasion of the performance. Each region and community, both coastal and inland, is characterised by its own particular form of Al-Ayyala. These variations are expressed in the chanted poems, the speed of the rhythm, and in minor variations in movements and sound tones.

Al-Ayyala has been practised for generations by people across the United Arab Emirates.

Other participants
Al Abu (the father) sets and maintains the rhythm, while between the two rows of dancers stand the drummers, who carry large (kasir or rass) and small (takhmir or rahmani) drums, tambourines, brass cymbals and castanets.

Accompanying the performance is a group of men known as ‘Al Yaweela’ in Emirati dialect (the name implies movement), who move in a wide circle, stepping in rhythm to the beat and waving swords or guns .

In addition, the Na’ashat (inspirations), a group of young women wearing traditional dresses called Al Mekhwar, stand in front of the two rows of men and toss their hair from side-to-side in time to the rhythm. Girls are also often adorned during the performance with types of gold or ornaments such as martaasha or mariya.