Emerati dance Yowalah

Khaleejia said:
Emerati dance Yowalah

I used to watching channel nojoom3  that shows only local (emerati ) music-video clips. This traditional music that still so popular and be loved by Arabs became adored by ppl of even other cultures who are attracted by its rhythms and performance itself. Actually me, myself love only dance of United Arab Emirates- Al-Ayallah that is different from even neighboring countries like Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Mostly type of the dances of these countries is similar but in fact there are many differences in details. Of cause dance became a bit different since new musical instruments were invented but the changes didn't move too far. So it's still very original. So what is the secret of such an old dance where men are so courageous and woman are so feminine?

' Al-Ayallah (yowalah) is the most traditional dancing style in the United Arab Emirates.
Al-Ayallah means victory dance because it is usually performed after a victory in a war or after
coming home from successful pearl diving. The music and dances which accompanying this celebration
have an important social function and both males and females are represented. Al-Ayallah is very distinctive
in both its music and dancing. Goatskin bagpipes, flute and drums are the traditional musical instrument
used in this dance. The instruments release sounds
like American Indian tunes when Al-Ayallah is celebrated at midnight.
When the group, "Fergah" decides to dance "Al-Ayallah," the first thing they do is divide
the group of men into two lines. Each man should hold his neighbor's arm,
and hold a stick in the other hand, to move it up and down, as they move their bodies with the songs.

The group which holds the musical instruments stands in the middle, between the lines, and they are
called "Tabballah." While dancing, one line sings a poem in a traditional tune.
After they finish, the second line starts to sing the second part of the poetry the same way.
At the same time, the women's group, which is called "Naeeshat," cheers by moving their hair to the right
and left side like sea waves surging when it is raining.
In addition, there is a row of two to four
dancers moving in a circle in the middle, between the two lines, wielding their sticks, foils or guns,
moving them forward and backward; they are moving around like a fan. Sometimes, they use only their hands.
Large numbers of men perform this dance, but it could also be solo.
Dances are different based on the celebrations or events.


These dancers also sing while they are dancing.

Nowdays to see such performance is not a big problem a specially if you live in UAE. Very often Emerati men gather in the Malls all over the country to share their tradition with the guests of AE. You can find a lot of videos of witnesses of such events on youtube or in private collections. It is really very strong performance that will never leave you indifferent to the UAE culture and people. Dance include very respectable movements for men's and some of the movements started be learned since childhood. In Emirates there are some special schools which are founded under Sheikh Muhammad supporing.