- Al-Razfa, a Traditional Performing Art
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Al-Razfa, a Traditional Performing Art
Al-Razfa is a traditional performing art that is practiced throughout the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman. It is performed by men of all age’s classes during the social occasions, such as weddings and national celebrations.
Male performers men stand in two facing lines, carrying thin bamboo sticks, with dancers filling the space between. Then the two rows turn into a double chorus led by the lead singer.
The performers chant verses of traditional Nabataean poetry, carefully selected to match the occasion and the dancers perform specific movements while carrying wooden riffles that mimic the original guns, and in some cases young girls swing their hair in time to the music. In the past, al-Razfa was practiced as a communal victory celebration, but today its popularity as a form of entertainment has expanded greatly.
This art is transmitted within the family through participation and observation at social occasions, and the individual roles of the performers are learned through practice.
Al-Razfa, a Traditional Performing Art was inscribed in 2015 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Oman, UAE.
by Marcky30, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsAl-Razfa, a Traditional Performing Art
Date of Inscription
2015
- See also
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Arabic Calligraphy: Knowledge, Skills and Practices Date Palm, Knowledge, Skills, Traditions and Practices Majlis, a Cultural and Social Space Arabic Coffee, a Symbol of Generosity Al-Bar’ah, Music and Dance of Oman Dhofari Valleys Al ‘azi, Elegy, Processional March and Poetry Horse and Camel Ardhah Al-Taghrooda, Traditional Bedouin Chanted Poetry in the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman Al-Ayyala, a Traditional Performing Art of the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates Camel Racing, a Social Practice and a Festive Heritage Associated with Camels Al-Khanjar, Craft Skills and Social Practices Alheda’a, Oral Traditions of Calling Camel Flocks Harees dish: Know-How, Skills and Practices Falconry, a Living Human Heritage Al Sadu, Traditional Weaving Skills in the United Arab Emirates Al Azi, Art of Performing Praise, Pride and Fortitude Poetry Al Aflaj, Traditional Irrigation Network System in the UAE, Oral Traditions, Knowledge and Skills of Construction, Maintenance and Equitable Water Distribution Al Talli, Traditional Embroidery Skills in the United Arab Emirates
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