A Saudi Arabian scout group performs the sword dance in Byblos, Lebanon, marking the end of the 23rd annual meeting of Arab scouts in 1998. Reuters
Saudi men perform a traditional sword dance at Rijal Almaa, on the outskirts of Abha, in 2020. Reuters
A Saudi Arabian prince holds a sword as part of the traditional Ardah dance, at the Janadriya cultural festival in Riyadh. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YAJ7GP6AEFA4BEP527N2BS6I3Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=bb2db9c2d76b8c91b23a630770e6dc1bc76cca445af2b65bccc25f8b19673ae7&width=400&height=225)
King Salman performs the Ardah sword dance. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PRVFGP5ABL6TR3YXLI5NUPJGWU.jpg?smart=true&auth=cc208d731b3b27e2a3d2bbea88a27de26debb9a722523cfe10a29e8bee3110b3&width=400&height=225)
Britain’s King Charles III has a go at sword dancing on a visit to the Janadriya festival, when he was Prince of Wales in 2014. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P5HJQGHDVS4LWFVETSG26ENVIE.jpg?smart=true&auth=f5ddd125c616f4e690e5c093a9fa6acc98bb8450e1e3dcbb74998242e533c703&width=400&height=225)
Donald Trump sways with traditional dancers at a welcome ceremony at Murabba Palace, Riyadh, when he was US president in May 2017. AP
Ex-US president George W. Bush and Saudi Arabia's Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz watch the Ardah being performed in Riyadh. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OSZMMJMP25JLNTFHEMMGE2DKO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=069aafb70a53a3bcc54c1ae8cc9b1aee8d2e0037ef480cd8d6dca93857988698&width=400&height=225)
Basil Albani holds a traditional sword and dances with his friends on his wedding day in Jeddah. AFP
Bedouins perform the Ardah to honour then-Austrian president Heinz Fischer and his wife Margit on an official visit to Saudi Arabia. Reuters
A Saudi Arabian scout group performs the sword dance in Byblos, Lebanon, marking the end of the 23rd annual meeting of Arab scouts in 1998. Reuters
Saudi men perform a traditional sword dance at Rijal Almaa, on the outskirts of Abha, in 2020. Reuters
A Saudi Arabian prince holds a sword as part of the traditional Ardah dance, at the Janadriya cultural festival in Riyadh. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YAJ7GP6AEFA4BEP527N2BS6I3Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=bb2db9c2d76b8c91b23a630770e6dc1bc76cca445af2b65bccc25f8b19673ae7&width=400&height=225)
King Salman performs the Ardah sword dance. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PRVFGP5ABL6TR3YXLI5NUPJGWU.jpg?smart=true&auth=cc208d731b3b27e2a3d2bbea88a27de26debb9a722523cfe10a29e8bee3110b3&width=400&height=225)
Britain’s King Charles III has a go at sword dancing on a visit to the Janadriya festival, when he was Prince of Wales in 2014. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P5HJQGHDVS4LWFVETSG26ENVIE.jpg?smart=true&auth=f5ddd125c616f4e690e5c093a9fa6acc98bb8450e1e3dcbb74998242e533c703&width=400&height=225)
Donald Trump sways with traditional dancers at a welcome ceremony at Murabba Palace, Riyadh, when he was US president in May 2017. AP
Ex-US president George W. Bush and Saudi Arabia's Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz watch the Ardah being performed in Riyadh. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OSZMMJMP25JLNTFHEMMGE2DKO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=069aafb70a53a3bcc54c1ae8cc9b1aee8d2e0037ef480cd8d6dca93857988698&width=400&height=225)
Basil Albani holds a traditional sword and dances with his friends on his wedding day in Jeddah. AFP
Bedouins perform the Ardah to honour then-Austrian president Heinz Fischer and his wife Margit on an official visit to Saudi Arabia. Reuters
A Saudi Arabian scout group performs the sword dance in Byblos, Lebanon, marking the end of the 23rd annual meeting of Arab scouts in 1998. Reuters
Saudi Arabia tightens Ardah dance rules to keep tradition intact
Permission is now required for performances after residents said cultural significance was being undermined
![Mona Farag](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F1c9bd289-2354-4fda-b0bb-f0f7eecd3bc1.png?smart=true&auth=e40c0425e666422be850b751bdf1e5ae9e46fb4f69ac0ddfa62a8183914701ff&width=70&height=70)
Mona Farag
10 January, 2023
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