Regional,Kuwaiti Bedouin culture rich in elaborate folklore dances

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Reflects Arab Gulf nomads traditions

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 20, (KUNA): Regional and Kuwaiti Bedouin culture is rich with elaborate and expressive dances that reflect traditions of Arab Gulf nomads. In his book “Bedouins in Kuwait,” author Ibrahim Al-Shukri affirmed that the local nomadic culture was “filled” with traditional dances that still survived until this day. One of the routines is the outdoorsy Al-Qalta dance, which involves male performers standing in two rows facing each other.

Al-Feraisni dance

Style
Each leader of the groups delivers lines in a call- and-response manner, said Al-Shukri who indicated that this style is very popular during national celebrations and huge social occasions. A similar dance is Al-Feraisni, which also involved two rows of eight to 10 men in each group clasping their hands together in a show of social solidarity while also reciting a-call-and-response poem. In this style, one group initiates a three-step stride forward and retreat to allow the second group of men to perform the same action, indicated the author.

Call-and-response
Al-Mejailsi dance, on the contrary, has two groups of men sitting in a row in front of each other in a poetry call-and-response routine, stated Al-Shukri. Another style is Al- Dahha, usual performed to celebrate marriage and circumcision of newborns, said Al-Shukri who indicated that women were allowed to be involved in this rhythmic dance routine. A woman, clad in an elaborate dark dress and a burqa face cover, would usually be in the center of this folklore dance surrounded by arm clasping men.

Feature by Shaima Al- Ruwaished

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