Culture of Saudi Arabia - Music and Dance

Music and Dance

One of Saudi Arabia's most compelling folk rituals is the Al Ardha, the country's national dance. This sword dance is based on ancient Bedouin traditions: drummers beat out a rhythm and a poet chants verses while sword-carrying men dance shoulder to shoulder. Al-sihba folk music, from the Hejaz, has its origins in al-Andalus. In Mecca, Medina and Jeddah, dance and song incorporate the sound of the mizmar, an oboe-like woodwind instrument in the performance of the mizmar dance. The drum is also an important instrument according to traditional and tribal customs. Samri is a popular traditional form of music and dance in which poetry is sung. There is also the Dabka dance in the north, and belly dance for ladies with many styles, such as khaleeji style in the east, and saedi style in Hijaz. One other popular dance in the Arabian world is called the Dabka, a traditional form of unisex line dancing found in the Eastern Arab World. The dance is based on rhythmic stomping, stepping and jumping, completely synchronized to the drummer. This dance is usually danced in weddings and engagements by everyone of all ages. Guitars are also prohibited, as they also do not fit with Islam. Songs (words sung with musical instruments) are also not allowed; instead nasheeds are sung, which are basically a cappella, songs without instruments. Nasheeds are usually religiously based, but not all are sung about religion.