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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.
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