Keeping sword dancing alive in Fujairah

posted on 09/11/2011: 28 views

Fujairah Troupes of sword dancers will compete to symbolically conquer a historical fort here in one of biggest heritage competitions to be held in the emirate.

The event, to start on Friday, is the second of its kind organised under the directive of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah.

Winners will get cash prizes in a bid to encourage young men to preserve the tradition of sword dancing.

Al Saif Traditional Sword Competition was launched for the first time in 2010. The competition then entered the Guinness World Records for the largest Yahala dance in which 285 dancers participated.

Another achievement of last year's event was the highest throw of the sword by Hazza Sulaiman Al Shehi of Dibba, Fujairah, who threw his sword 21.275 metres, a new world record. The height of the sword throw was measured by laser technology.

There are many types of folk dances including Al Ayalah, Harbiyya, Al Razfa, Liwa, Al Habban and Al Youlah. Each has its own characteristic way of performance.

Social values

Al Mazafin is considered one of the traditional arts of the UAE reflecting its social values, morals and aesthetics. It has technical features that depend on movement, rhythm, signs, symbols of significance and shared meaning that are common among the members of the group where it is popular.

"The Al Mazafin tournament is an opportunity for youngsters above 16 to learn and practise this traditional dance and perform it creatively.

"The annual tournament will help to spread this living tradition, so that a local show is eventually performed on the international stage," a spokesman for the organising committee told Gulf News.

Participation

The following conditions have been formulated to govern participation in the Al Saif Competition. Participants must be:

• Knowledgeable in the ways of Al Mazafin.

• Committed in the highest degree to safety in sword use.

• Males above 16 years.

• Committed to wearing national attire.

• Committed to all standards of security and safety.

• Committed to public morality and the good treatment of others. – Gulf News

RELATED ARTICLES

26 April 2012	Institute dedicated to Arabic's glory
19 April 2012	Emiratis sign pledge to preserve heritage
19 April 2012	Dubai Creek being considered as world heritage site
17 April 2012	Heritage trail planned in Al Ain
16 April 2012	Heritage Week activities will offer a glimpse of Emirati culture

blog comments powered by Disqus