Music and dance in UAE

Music and dance in UAE forms a part of the culture and reflects the rich heritage of the country. There are ay lest three types of traditional dance in UAE. Music and dance is common in UAE in most of the festivals and cultural events. People express their joy by dancing even in weddings in UAE. Drums are an integral part of folk music in UAE. Everyone attending a festive occasion is supposed to join the line or circle of swaying dancers, and dance to the accompaniment of tambourines. While young girls dance by swinging their black tresses and swaying their bodies to the strong beat of the music, men re-enact battles fought or successful hunting expeditions.

Ayyalah is one among most popular folk dances in UAE. It represents a battle signifying the defeat of enemy and celebration of victory. Ayyalah is usually performed in groups with up to 200 men, organized in such a manner so that they face each other. It looks beautiful when they take turns in reciting poems and brandishing swords on the beats of traditional drums and tambourines. Harbiya is another popular dance in UAE. Like, Ayyalah Harbiya is also performed by two lines of men confronting each other, but the recitation is based on the repetition of unaccompanied melodic phrases.

Other popular traditional dances in UAE include the Liwa. It is generally performed to a rapid tempo and loud drumbeat. This is also based on the theme of a war song whose purpose is to raise the morale of the fighting men. Haban (also known as the Khamiri, or the Khayali) is another major folk dance in UAE. Another popular traditional dance performed by tribes in UAE is the Mated, based on Sufi traditions to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. It's different from other traditional dances because of its relation to a religious occasion. In another dance form women perform by tossing their hair about their heads in big circles.
But apart from the traditional forms of music and dance in the cosmopolitan city of Dubai other forms of music and dance has also become popular. Thus music and dance has also become part of the night life in UAE.