Arabian Sword Dances (And other dances!)

[A.alnakkas]

Here is an old video and a chance to actually see someone who engaged in sword combat and has old warfare experience doing the ardha dance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7orax704PqM

The elder in the middle (wearing red shmagh and golden egal) from 00:50 + is shaikh Abdullah alJaber AlSabah of Kuwait. He fought in the battle of alJahra in the early 20th century. Anyone with some experience in the dance will notice that he is infact leading and controlling the other dancers, something very rare in our time especially as the elderly people are passing away :-(

[A.alnakkas]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfayu5r-Na4

This is an excellent video showing the Qatari variation of the Ardha.

Note at 0:50 it shows a glimpse of an art that seems restricted to Qatar and Bahrain called Mhayal. Its a duel in which the dancers try to knock eachother's egals (headband) using real sharp swords. I spoke about it with my Qatari friends and hoping to get a full video of it.

[Iain]

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfayu5r-Na4

This is an excellent video showing the Qatari variation of the Ardha.

Note at 0:50 it shows a glimpse of an art that seems restricted to Qatar and Bahrain called Mhayal. Its a duel in which the dancers try to knock eachother's egals (headband) using real sharp swords. I spoke about it with my Qatari friends and hoping to get a full video of it.

Any word on that vid? Sounds interesting.