Saudi Arabia tightens Ardah dance rules to keep tradition intact - in pictures

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
King Salman performs the Ardah sword dance. Reuters
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
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
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