The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia boasts a rich cultural heritage, with each region showcasing its distinct folkloric traditions that harmonize with the natural environment. Among these is the Saudi Ardah, a popular folkloric group dance renowned, besides the beautiful performance, for the accompanying songs that carry historical and cultural significance.
Ardah symbolizes the enduring unity between the leadership and the people; it is performed by men showing loyalty and love for the homeland.
Traditionally, Ardah was a performed in preparation for war, with the prince of the army inspecting his soldiers to assess their readiness for battle. It was a majestic, balanced performance to boost the fighters’ morale, and elicit determination and courage, particularly among horsemen.
Later it would be performed to celebrate victorious soldiers returning from battle.
Ardah holds a significant place in the history of the Kingdom’s unification, led by King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Al Saud, who recognized its
importance before launching the unification efforts.
The Saudi Ardah is characterized by its majesty and dignity, with orderly rows, raised flags, and swords forming a visually striking scene unified by traditional attire. It concludes with “Al-Zamia” (loudly saying ‘under the flag of my master, hear and obey’), and its elements include: the flag, the mehrab (lead chanter or poet), the rows, the poem and the prompter, the drums, the weaponry, the Ardah costumes, and Al-Zamia.
As the country became safe and enjoyed security, Ardah became a joyous expression and a proud cultural symbol, performed on official occasions and to welcome important state guests, including heads of states.
The Ardah performance is done by two groups: war poem chanters and drummers, with a flag bearer positioned between them. The poem chanters begin by singing verses, followed by drummers who beat rhythms to accompany the raising of swords.
The Saudi Ardah begins with Hawraba or Shobash, the first part of Ardah announced by a poet
with a powerful voice who recites stirring verses to assemble performers in two opposing rows, typically comprising 40 to 50 participants. The rows must be balanced, with performers holding hands; they may form a circle as they recite verses together. The physical performance begins with “al-Nazr,’ where performers lean right and left while stationary. When the second half of the poem is recited, drums begin to roll, and the rows sway right and left with a knee-bending motion. Throughout, performers raise or lower swords, or place them on their shoulder, all in a synchronized rhythm, especially during verses extolling the country and leader.
Two types of drums are used: the large “Takhmir” and the small “Tathlith”, played with a stick with a curved end. The drums are covered with camel skin and decorated with colorful threads. Drummers of the small drums perform coordinated movements, raising and lowering the drum while jumping and moving their bodies.
The tradition includes a horse parade known as “al-Hadd
wa”, where a horseman introduces himself by chanting on horseback and exchanging chants with pride and enthusiasm before joining the performers.
The attire donned for Saudi Ardah features bright colors and embroidery. Garments include Daqla, Sudairy, Zboon, Shalhat (a loose dress with wide sleeves), Bisht, Sayah, Jokha, and Qarmalia (the drummers’ attire), often accessorized with a sword or a gun.
Ardah has received attention from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, reflecting his broad interest in the Kingdom’s history and cultural heritage. This is highlighted by Ardah’s inclusion, in December 2015, in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the establishment of the National Center for Saudi Ardah, in 2017, at the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives, to promote culture, national identity, and support arts popular in the Kingdom.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
