Al-Ayyala, a traditional performing art of the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates

UNESCO: Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity - 2014
URL: www.unesco.org/...
Description: Al-Ayyala is a popular cultural performance practised in Oman and the United Arab Emirates during religious and national festivals and weddings. It involves chanted poetry, drum music and dance, and simulates a battle scene. Two rows of men face each other, carrying bamboo sticks. They move their heads and sticks and chant poetic lyrics, while other performers move between the rows holding, throwing and catching swords or guns. In the United Arab Emirates, girls also participate, standing at the front and tossing their hair from side to side.
Country(ies): Oman; United Arab Emirates
© TCA Abu Dhabi, 2013
Duration: 00:09:19 - Support: DVD (0101200024)