Shilla

A key component of the United Arab Emirates’ cultural heritage, Shilla is a popular type of sung poetry that is often accompanied by the playing of a rebabah, a traditional stringed instrument of Arab origin. The sung poems of Shilla traditionally take one of three directions: descriptive, laudatory or offering words of wisdom. They deal with several poetic themes such as praise, but with a sense of melancholy. The poems feature patterns of traditional Nabati poetry and are performed by one or two persons. Shilla poets are known for their beautiful voices and their competency as knowledgeable performers.