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Folk troupe showcases lifestyle of the coastal people of RAK

DUBAI — As part of the Heritage Surprises week organised by Dubai Customs, people from Ras Al Khaimah are showcasing a rich array of their lifestyle and traditions, every day from 5pm to 10pm.

A troupe of dancers perform Harat Al Shaya, one of the oldest art forms of Ras Al Khaimah and unique to the region. The songs are divided into three sections. Drum players stand between two rows of performers comprising the band. One of the performers begins by reciting a line of poetry.

He repeats it a number of times until the other performers have memorised it. Then he recites another line of poetry from the same poem. The first line is a start and the second is the pedal.

The two rows of dancers rhythmically move forward and backward, a row bows and drummers keep drawing nearer to it for 10 minutes while moving their heads.

The opposite row repeats the same movements as the drummers draw nearer to them as well. Dancers throwing mock guns into the air and catching them adds charm to the show.

This folkdance is usually performed on special occasions, feast days and at wedding parties.

The dancers will be performing at Al Ghurair Centre this evening. The Sha’am Sails segment depicts the lifestyle of the coastal people of Ras Al Khaimah, who make a living from fishing using traditional methods such as handwoven nets.

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