Nice, thanks for sharing! :) Although it´s a shame the videos are a little shaky & dark.
This dance was a much-anticipated part of the Eid celebrations on the Corniche when I was a kid. I don't think they do this over there anymore, though.
moneera...I watched the dancing in person that night ...I'm actually IN this video of the Texas students..
I love watching these young men dancing the traditional dance...The young man in with the longish sleeves is a phenomenal dancer...and such a nice young guy....
Thank you for posting these parts of your heritage...
Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.
The traditional sword dance, known as the Ardha, is performed in Qatar on special occasions such as religious holidays and national celebrations. I caught a glimpse of it one night when I happened upon a large gathering at this event hall next door to my housing compound. I was told by a fellow bystander - an Egyptian woman - that the people at the gathering were all members of the richest family in Qatar, the Al Amaniya (sp?) family, who owns more than half the country. They were celebrating an event that had happened long ago in their family's history; she wasn't exactly sure what. After explaining as much as she could, she told me quietly, 'A Qatari would not tell you this. They consider this to be inside information, not for outsiders.' As she walked away I thanked her for the secret information and continued to watch the dance through the iron gate.
To an outsider like myself both the singing and dancing can seem quite repetitive, as the dancers seem to repeat the same phrase over and over again as they perform the same hop step while raising their swords in the air. Once I researched it a bit, though, it began to make more sense. I found out that the Ardha traces its origins to bedouin days and is also performed in neighbouring countries like Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. It combines dance and poetry, with a poet moving back and forth between two lines of singers and dancers. The poet gives each group of singers a line to repeat before moving across to the other group. The traditional lyrics are of chivalry and strength and adapt to each occasion across generations.
These also are some main information about "Ardha or Al Ardha " the traditional sword dance
It's worth mentioning that all Gulf Countries share this traditional dancing with a little bit difference, so I did copy for the general common information within Gulf Countries
The dance begins with a single line of poetry that is repeated as the drums beat in the background and swords are wielded as part of the national and official celebrations and the re-pledging of allegiance to the authorities.
The Ardha used to be performed before warriors would meet their enemies in battle. It demonstrates that they have no fear of fighting and it is used to stir up enthusiasm amongst soldiers and leaders.
Today’s the Ardha demonstrates the evolution of an ancient Arab tradition that has existed since the age of Jahiliya (pre-Islam). Though the tradition is associated with war, there are no texts within Arab heritage that links Arab wars to contemporary Ardha.
For centuries the drums of Ardha were used to declare war, the swords were wielded and poetry was recited; these are the defining characteristics of the Ardha.
Although the Saudi ( even the other countires) Ardha is often associated with war, it is performed during special occasions such as the Islamic Eid celebrations or at weddings and has become a widespread practice throughout Saudi (and others also) provinces.
Yet there are differences between the Ardha according to regions. Some would explain Ardha as men forming a circle or semicircle with poets in the centre reciting their poetry whilst the others repeat the last line. These poems can reflect wisdom whereby the poet speaks of his own experiences or they may extend praise to a certain figure or tribe. The drummers stand close to the poets and on their beat, the last line of poetry is repeated and a sword is carried in the right hand of the participants.
In general, people taking part in Ardha stand in two lines facing each other.
The Ardha is also a way to express loyalty and obedience to the leadership and authorities by frequently repeating certain lines of poetry that express such sentiment.
The word ‘al Ardha’ may be derived from ‘Ardhal Kheil’ meaning displaying the horses, as for centuries, Arabs used to train their horses and show them off during special events when they prepared to go to battle. It could also be derived from the Arabic word ‘I’tirad’ that refers to the intercrossing of swords, since the sword is the fundamental component of the Ardha.
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Complete information about all types of dances: (movement, style, history, and much more)
http://scientificera.com/dance.html
You will find it useful and interesting
Thank you so much Moneera!
[img_assist|nid=7232|title=Dua|desc=Amen :-)|link=none|align=left|width=440|height=56]
Nice, thanks for sharing! :) Although it´s a shame the videos are a little shaky & dark.
This dance was a much-anticipated part of the Eid celebrations on the Corniche when I was a kid. I don't think they do this over there anymore, though.
Welcome Scarlett ...
I'm glade that you like such these things ....
May Allah bless My Qatar and it's people
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students of Texas
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moneera...I watched the dancing in person that night ...I'm actually IN this video of the Texas students..
I love watching these young men dancing the traditional dance...The young man in with the longish sleeves is a phenomenal dancer...and such a nice young guy....
Thank you for posting these parts of your heritage...
Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked,the good fortune to run into the ones I do,and the eyesight to tell the difference.
very nice dances
Yeah right,,,
and it will be held during the National Day
May Allah bless My Qatar and it's people
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students of Texas
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Its also performed during weddings
[img_assist|nid=50852|title=hmm|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]
Sword Dancing
The traditional sword dance, known as the Ardha, is performed in Qatar on special occasions such as religious holidays and national celebrations. I caught a glimpse of it one night when I happened upon a large gathering at this event hall next door to my housing compound. I was told by a fellow bystander - an Egyptian woman - that the people at the gathering were all members of the richest family in Qatar, the Al Amaniya (sp?) family, who owns more than half the country. They were celebrating an event that had happened long ago in their family's history; she wasn't exactly sure what. After explaining as much as she could, she told me quietly, 'A Qatari would not tell you this. They consider this to be inside information, not for outsiders.' As she walked away I thanked her for the secret information and continued to watch the dance through the iron gate.
To an outsider like myself both the singing and dancing can seem quite repetitive, as the dancers seem to repeat the same phrase over and over again as they perform the same hop step while raising their swords in the air. Once I researched it a bit, though, it began to make more sense. I found out that the Ardha traces its origins to bedouin days and is also performed in neighbouring countries like Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. It combines dance and poetry, with a poet moving back and forth between two lines of singers and dancers. The poet gives each group of singers a line to repeat before moving across to the other group. The traditional lyrics are of chivalry and strength and adapt to each occasion across generations.
Updated By jungles on June 17, 2006
Source: http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Middle_East/Qatar/Baladiyat_ad_Dawhah/Doha-1806039/Local_Customs-Doha-BR-1.html
May Allah bless My Qatar and it's people
&feature=related
students of Texas
&feature=related
These also are some main information about "Ardha or Al Ardha " the traditional sword dance
It's worth mentioning that all Gulf Countries share this traditional dancing with a little bit difference, so I did copy for the general common information within Gulf Countries
The dance begins with a single line of poetry that is repeated as the drums beat in the background and swords are wielded as part of the national and official celebrations and the re-pledging of allegiance to the authorities.
The Ardha used to be performed before warriors would meet their enemies in battle. It demonstrates that they have no fear of fighting and it is used to stir up enthusiasm amongst soldiers and leaders.
Today’s the Ardha demonstrates the evolution of an ancient Arab tradition that has existed since the age of Jahiliya (pre-Islam). Though the tradition is associated with war, there are no texts within Arab heritage that links Arab wars to contemporary Ardha.
For centuries the drums of Ardha were used to declare war, the swords were wielded and poetry was recited; these are the defining characteristics of the Ardha.
Although the Saudi ( even the other countires) Ardha is often associated with war, it is performed during special occasions such as the Islamic Eid celebrations or at weddings and has become a widespread practice throughout Saudi (and others also) provinces.
Yet there are differences between the Ardha according to regions. Some would explain Ardha as men forming a circle or semicircle with poets in the centre reciting their poetry whilst the others repeat the last line. These poems can reflect wisdom whereby the poet speaks of his own experiences or they may extend praise to a certain figure or tribe. The drummers stand close to the poets and on their beat, the last line of poetry is repeated and a sword is carried in the right hand of the participants.
In general, people taking part in Ardha stand in two lines facing each other.
The Ardha is also a way to express loyalty and obedience to the leadership and authorities by frequently repeating certain lines of poetry that express such sentiment.
The word ‘al Ardha’ may be derived from ‘Ardhal Kheil’ meaning displaying the horses, as for centuries, Arabs used to train their horses and show them off during special events when they prepared to go to battle. It could also be derived from the Arabic word ‘I’tirad’ that refers to the intercrossing of swords, since the sword is the fundamental component of the Ardha.
Source: http://www.asharqalawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=7&id=12148
May Allah bless My Qatar and it's people
&feature=related
students of Texas
&feature=related
eid mubarak
thank u vwry much