Today's Edition
RABI HAMAMSAH (ABU DHABI)
Each night of Al Hosn Festival treats visitors to the authentic sounds of the UAE as Emirati folk bands sing their sweetest melodies and recite their most beautiful poems, delighting audiences and instilling an enthusiastic spirit in all guests, from the UAE and beyond.
Every day during Al Hosn Festival, folk bands are placed at various locations across the festival grounds, where the groups find themselves surrounded by visitors listening to and watching traditional songs and dances such as Al Ayala, Al Harbiya, Al Lewa, and more.
Salem Al Rashdi, head of Salem Bakheet Al Rashdi Folklore Band, told Aletihad that Al Hosn Festival presents an opportunity for the band to place some of the UAE’s proudest traditions on display.
“We show all visitors here a traditional dance from our culture and heritage where the songs tell stories from our history in an entertaining way. We perform here every day at Al Hosn Festival until the last day on January 28,” he added.
According to Al Rashdi, there are over 100 people participanting in bands during the festival.
Al Ayala
Al Ayala is among the UAE’s most popular traditional artforms, and receives wide attention throughout the country.
Al Ayala, which is known as the Ardah dance in some other Gulf countries, is performed during social and national occasions as a sincere expression of life, customs, and tradition, accompanied by chanted or sung poetry along with dancing and drumming.
Al Harbiya
Also on display during the festival are performances of Al Harbiya, one of the most famous traditional dances of the UAE.
The dance is performed by two rows of men facing each other, traditionally carrying weapons and swords. The dance is performed collectively, and is based on a single balanced melodic phrase that is not accompanied by any musical instrument.
Traditional Activities
Al Hosn Festival is always full of traditional activities that showcase the history of the UAE, Al Rashdi said, adding: ‘’Every year we take part in Al Hosn Festival, and we perform our traditional dances. It is such a pleasure for us, and we feel proud to show the visitors and the Emirati youth our folklore and heritage.’’
