Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011
Gulf News
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 Shaikh 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.
By Aghaddir Ali?Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
