Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — U.S. President Donald Trump received a grand cultural welcome during his visit to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday (May 15, 2025), where he was greeted with the traditional Al-Ayyala dance at the presidential palace.
The vibrant performance featured dozens of teenage girls dressed in flowing white gowns, their long hair cascading as they rhythmically flipped it from side to side, a signature movement of the traditional dance.
According to the New York Post, the performers lined the roadway as Trump walked between them, accompanied by top UAE officials. Behind the girls, groups of men beat drums, chanted, and waved props resembling swords, adding to the ceremonial display.
The Al-Ayyala, also known as the “stick dance”, is a widely celebrated traditional performance in the UAE and northwestern Oman. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the dance blends poetry, music, and choreography that symbolically reenacts scenes of battle.
UNESCO describes Al-Ayyala as involving “sung poetry, rhythmic drumming, and dance movements,” with men often facing off in two lines while holding thin bamboo sticks meant to represent spears or swords. Musicians positioned between the lines play large and small drums, tambourines, and brass cymbals, while some performers move about carrying swords or firearms, occasionally tossing them into the air and catching them mid-performance.
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In the UAE, the dance is made even more distinctive by the participation of young women who stand at the front, swinging their hair in a synchronized motion. This gesture holds cultural significance, symbolizing modesty, grace, and a form of artistic expression that honors their role in greeting and celebrating honored guests.
The music that accompanies the performance typically follows a seven-note scale arranged in an irregular, repeating pattern. The verses, often composed of traditional poetry, are customized for each occasion.
Al-Ayyala is a central part of celebratory life in both Oman and the UAE, frequently performed at weddings, Eid festivities, National Day celebrations, and state visits. In many cases, the festivities continue for several days, serving as a public expression of joy, unity, and cultural pride.
(Raidi/Agung)
