Emirati dance and poetry by Saqr Al Mazrou3i

Khaleejia said: I am introducing you Saqr Al Mazrou3i Emarati poet and leader of a traditional emirati Farga Shaabia (dances group) from Fujeirah. Being a humble person who in fact is a local star, we were honored as he tells about himself and his group exclusively to Khaleejia's Life:

Traditional Emirati dances gain more and more popularity all over the world and yet it is not that easy to find a group who are well skilled in all kinds of traditional dancing.

Briefly about these dances. First of all the word "dance" is not used for such performances. Coming from the past the movements were taken from the life occupations such as: camels riding, hunting, sailing, fishing etc and each type of the performance was typical to the region it came from.

There are several types and names of them.The most popular are: Farga Harbia - dancing in groups with sticks or sword, "Yola", mainly performance of one who dances with a weapon, al 3ayala - dance that imitates sailing fisher men , during the performance  group of men may be sitting on the ground  in a circle and waving in the rhythm of the song melody. Nowadays there are several heritage clubs across UAE that teaches to all types of Farga Shaabia (general name of all kinds) and we noted that youth generation truly love it and practice.

The group which is organized by Al Mazrou3i family, is a good example for that. The whole family, its sons and fathers dedicated their life to keep, perform and teach other to this important and beautiful traditional performance. Their Farga Shaabia is filmed for TV, music clips and often is  invited for different events, celebrations and ceremonies across the UAE and even outside the country.

Khaleejia's Life: Saqer when first time you learn movements of Yola? and How you became a poet?

Saqer: - In the beginning my father taught me, so later i started participating and even organized a group to perform at different events. Very often such traditional events required more than only Farga Harbia or Yola, in Emirati tradition there has to be written a good poem celebrating the event. As poetry is a part of our traditions, and there is no wedding without a good poem for bride or for a groom. My first poem was greeted by people who said it was a good one and this encouraged me to continue writing poems. I began to write for every event and people started recognizing me more as a poet than as a yollah performer. That's how I became a poet tool. Now all our songs for Farga Shaabia written mainly by me as well as done dancing choreography.

Saqer exclusively offered to our readers special opportunity to book his group for any of occasion or event. He mentioned that the group is ready to travel to any country of the world to perform farga shhabia if needed :

P.S. For the dance or poetry inquiries please go here

DANCE AS KHALEEJI WOMEN! workout!

Khaleejia said:


For those who're interested i have posted about yowallah(preferably man's style khaleeji dance) but now i am going to share with you this video -small workout for khaleeji woman dance. without digging the history of the dance.I was lucky to get this vid as i hope you will enjoy it. I know that my blog has been visited mostly by girls from different continents, and i know that this style of dancing is learning in every country of the world. But the same time i am sure that not every of those girls have clear idea abt khaliji woman dance . well i hope this post will bring more light on it,and give you a chance to try it yourself. Must admit it's one of my favs among woman dance' styles.

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.