Emirati culture has a rich intangible heritage, passed on from one generation to another. Residents and visitors who spend Eid Al Fitr or any other celebration here will get the opportunity to witness and enjoy many facets of Emirati traditions, the most famous of which is Al Ayala.
Performed on various social and national occasions and celebrations or during festivals throughout the UAE, Al Ayala embodies the very essence of Emirati identity. Dubbed “the stick dance”, this folk dance features two rows of men standing face-to-face, chanting traditional Bedouin tunes while waving their sticks to the rhythmic beat of drums. They then dance back and forth, symbolising two tribes locked in a challenge, with the sticks symbolising swords waved at the opponent.
The dance is reminiscent of old times and mimics a challenge in which each tribe is bound by unity, symbolising the cohesion and solidarity of Emiratis. In 2009, the UAE presented the dance to Unesco as a key tradition to be safeguarded as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
Unesco added other equally popular traditions. These include other performing arts such as Al Razfa, a popular folk dance performed by men standing in two rows brandishing wooden rifle replicas. Similarly to Al Ayala, the men create a dual chorus, as drums punctuate verses of traditional Nabati poetry carefully selected to match the occasion.
Poetry and other elements of oral tradition hold a pivotal role in Emirati society and in the hearts of the UAE’s leaders. The Founding Father himself, the late Sheikh Zayed, would compose Nabati poems, while Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has published collections of Nabati poetry.
Al Taghrooda is traditional Bedouin poetry composed and chanted by community elders, embedded in ancient customs and passed on through generations. These poems are improvised and repeated as antiphonal singing between two groups of riders. They are also chanted around campfires, at weddings and during national festivities.
On occasions such as Eid Al Fitr and National Day, malls throughout the country will feature attractions celebrating these traditions. A majlis, a sitting area where community members would gather, is often set up. It is a large social space laid out with carpets and with cushions placed against the wall. Community members would gather there to discuss matters at hand or to celebrate weddings and other occasions. Kahwa is served, a symbol of generosity and hospitality. The common practice is to drink at least one cup, but to never exceed three.
Falconry is yet another ancient practice perpetuated by generations of Emiratis.
All these are now part of the cultural heritage of humanity. By championing and perpetuating its folklores and traditions, from the performing arts to historically symbolic elements, the UAE has proven that its deeply rooted heritage is an intrinsic part of its present, weaving it into its plans for the future.
