Al ‘Ayyalah

A popular and expressive cultural performance practiced throughout the UAE. It involves chanted poetry, drum music and movement, imitating a battle scene. Two rows of twenty men or more face each other, carrying thin bamboo sticks to signify spears or swords. Between the rows, performers play large and small drums, tambourines and brass cymbals. The rows of men move their heads and sticks synchronously with the drum rhythm and chant poetic lyrics, while other performers move around the rows holding swords or guns, which they occasionally hurl to the sky and catch. The melody is comprised of multiple tones in an irregular repeated pattern, and the chanted poetry varies according to the occasion. Al’ayyalah is performed during weddings and other festive occasions in the UAE. Performer is usually an inherited role and is responsible for training other performers.