Yowlah

An Emirati child performing Yowlah.

The yowlah[1][2][3][4] /ˈjaʊlə/ (Arabic: اليولة, al-yawlah, or العيالة, al-ʿayyalah or al-ʿiyyalah), is a weapon dance of the United Arab Emirates, traditionally performed during weddings, celebrations, and other events.[5][2] The dance is accompanied by traditional music (drums and other instruments), and men and women are represented in separate groups of dancers. The yowlah originated as a Bedouin war dance where men would spin rifles after victory in a battle.[3] There is also a variation from the standard yowlah known as the razfah (Arabic: الرزفة al-razfah, الرزفة العيالة‎ al-razfat al-ʿayyalah, or العيالة أهل البحر al-ʿayyalat ʾahl al-baḥr);[6] and the ardah is sometimes considered a form of the yowlah (as العرضة العيالة‎ al-ʿarḍat al-ʿayyalah).[7]

  1. ^ Also spelled yowla, yowalah, yola, or yollah.
  2. ^ a b "Qasr Al Hosn festival 2014". TimeOut. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Authorities and parents warn young Emiratis over 'offensive' viral dance craze". The National. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  4. ^ "Why dance traditions mean a lot to Emiratis". The National. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  5. ^ Al-yowla contest today, Khaleej Times, 4 February 2004
  6. ^ "Al Alaya, an inclusive dance from UAE registered in the intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO". Kawa News. 14 March 2019.
  7. ^ "Al Ayala: Emirati Folk Dance". Musaafir the Bedouin's Travel Site. December 2018.