Traditional ardah dance

Carrying the cultural characteristics of the Gulf countries, the traditional ardah dance has recently been reintroduced to the public, especially after the coronation of the King of Kuwait Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The traditional ardah dance is intended to demonstrate the power of the tribe.

Sword dance to the sound of drums

Originating among the male tribes of central Saudi Arabia, the ardah dance takes its name from the Arabic word meaning “to show off, to march.” The name refers to the dance’s original purpose – to demonstrate tribal strength and boost morale before battle.

Due to its nature, the instruments used to perform the ardah dance included drums and swords. The dancers at that time were soldiers going to war. They stood in two rows facing each other, holding swords and swinging them to the rhythm of the drums and reciting heroic verses in a fast rhythm. A person in the middle would direct how the ardah dance was performed, sometimes also carrying a flag.

The ardah dance became a UNESCO heritage in 2015.

All three elements of dance, drumming and poetry were mentioned by Saudi Arabia in its application to UNESCO for recognition as intangible cultural heritage. And it was not too difficult for the ardah dance to become a recognized heritage in 2015.

Traditional cheers , happy Ramadan

Nearly two months ago, during a brief ceremony marking the start of the grand month of February in Kuwait, the emir Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah reminded the people of the ardah dance by stepping down to dance with soldiers at the Bayan Palace.

Around the same time, the ardah dance was used by Saudi Arabia to welcome King Meshal during his official visit to Riyadh, which opened a tour of the Gulf countries undertaken by the Kuwaiti head of state for more than a month.

At banquets and major events, the ardah dance is used as a form of welcoming guests.

The above events have somehow resonated, creating an attraction for the ardah dance. Since then, Kuwaitis have seen this tradition more and more, especially in February with the recent major holidays. At receptions and major events, the ardah dance is used as a form of welcoming guests; even foreigners have experienced the way of waving swords to the beat of drums with the dancers in the troupe.

Most recently, at the Kuwait Sports Day event held on March 9, dance troupes stood ready on the Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah sea bridge to perform this dance to encourage everyone to complete their fitness journey.

Right before the month of Ramadan, King Meshal continued to promote Arab culture and tradition when he attended the ceremony to announce the establishment of Abdullah Al-Salem University in Shuwaikh area.

The image of the gentle Kuwaiti monarch dancing with everyone in a traditional dance promises to bring new vitality to the commemorative activities and major holidays in Kuwait in the coming time, especially during this Ramadan month.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dieu-nha-y-truye-n-thong-ardah-di-sa-n-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-cu-a-khu-vuc-vu-ng-vinh-264558.html