Middle Eastern dances

Arabic dance

Dabke ( also spelled dabka, dabki, dubki, dabkeh, plural dabkaat) is a Levantine folk dance, particularly popular among Lebanese, Jordanian, Palestinian, and Syrian communities. Dabke combines circle dance and line dancing and is widely performed at weddings and other joyous occasions. The line forms from right to left and the leader of the dabke heads the line, alternating between facing the audience and the other dancers.

style of dance done in a circle with rhythm instruments and singing

Ardah ( / ALA-LC: al-‘arḍah) is a type of folkloric group dance in the Arabian Peninsula, in most countries located in the Gulf Cooperation Council. The dance is performed with two rows of men opposite of one another, each of whom may or may not be wielding a sword or cane, and is accompanied by drums and spoken poetry.

type of dance

Halay is the national dance of Turkey. It refers to all traditional circular and line dances performed across the country. The term is used among Turks, Kurds, Araps, and Asia Minor Greeks (particularly Pontic Greeks, Karamanlides, and Cappadocian Greeks).

dances of the Romani people

type of dance

Mezmar or mizmar ( al-mizmar) is a traditional group performance and stick song-dance that is performed by in the Hejaz region in western Saudi Arabia for festive occasions such as wedding and national events. Almezmar is performed by about 15–100 practitioners in festive occasions such as wedding and national events, they twirl long sticks (bamboo cane), beat drums and clap to songs that can pertain to a variety of topics such as heroism, praise, chivalry, love and generosity. In the past, the ritual was associated with battle or competition. It closely resembles the tahtib dance practiced in

folkloric dance of the Persian Gulf

form of dance usually performed to music from Israel

The '''M'alayah' (Arabic: معلايه or معلاية / ALA-LC: ma‘alāyah'') is a popular Arab dancing art that is performed at weddings. It originates in northern Oman, as well as the northeast United Arab Emirates, and is widespread through most of the Arab world. The M'alayah dance is based on rapid movements of the hips and buttocks, the dance is usually harmonised with local popular folk songs. It is the precursor of Belly dancing.

Traditional folk dances of the Arabs

type of dance