Al-Ayyala is a traditional performing art that combines chanted poetry, drums and coordinated movement. The version seen at Donald Trump’s welcome in the UAE includes young women at the front who toss their hair from side to side. UNESCO, which inscribed the tradition on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014, describes it as practised in north-western Oman and throughout the UAE. Abu Dhabi Culture lists welcome ceremonies for visiting heads of state among the occasions where it is performed, and Gulf News reported that a traditional cultural performance welcomed Trump during his UAE visit in May 2025.
What you are watching
Al-Ayyala is usually performed by a line of men, with a second line facing them, moving in time with drums while chanting poetry. The UNESCO record describes two facing rows of about twenty men carrying thin bamboo sticks that stand in for spears or swords, moving their heads and sticks to the beat. The UNESCO inscription record is the primary description used here. Abu Dhabi Culture’s account of the art, published on its heritage page for Al-Ayyala, gives a similar picture of men and boys holding thin canes and moving in unison to a steady drum rhythm.
The main elements are:
| Element | What it is | Role in the performance |
|---|---|---|
| Two facing rows | Around twenty men in UNESCO’s description, holding thin bamboo sticks | Sticks signify spears or swords; the stylised battle is the visual core of the piece |
| Chanting | Poetic lyrics sung by the performers | Carries the poetry that gives the performance its verbal content |
| Drums, tambourines and cymbals | Large and small drums, tambourines and brass cymbals, per UNESCO | Set the rhythm that the rows follow |
| Circling performers | Performers who may circle the rows with swords or guns, sometimes tossing and catching them | Add spectacle; UNESCO describes this as optional rather than fixed |
| Hair toss (UAE form) | Girls or young women in traditional dress standing at the front | Toss their hair from side to side; see the next section |
Staging varies by occasion and community. Neither source presents a single fixed choreography, so a description of one performance should not be treated as the only form of Al-Ayyala.
The hair toss and what it signifies
The hair movement is a UAE element of the performance: the UNESCO description notes that in the UAE, girls in traditional dresses stand in front and toss their hair from side to side. UNESCO’s committee decision 9.COM 10.33 states that this movement signifies faith in the girls’ protectors. That is the interpretation UNESCO’s decision attributes to the gesture. The sources do not establish that every performer or community explains the gesture in the same way, so present the meaning as UNESCO’s reading rather than a universal one.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- Make Your Body Groove - Baila! (bi-luh) latin workout will have you latin dancing with confidence in no time. Choose from five favorite exercise dance workout styles (Salsa, Merengue, Cha-Cha, Pasodoble, and Samba)
- Just 20 Minutes a Day - This low impact DVD can help you lose that belly flab, boost your cardio, increase your energy, and look & feel great without too much pressure on the joints and knees.
- Learn the Steps - Professional dance instructors Nestor and Amanda Garcia start each video with a basic steps intro routine, followed by the full session. Feel confident in the privacy of your home before starting these latin dance favorites.
- Great for All Ages - No dance experience required. Baila! is an excellent way to relieve stress, lose weight, look great, and feel sexy. Workout at your own pace and have fun! Fun fitness collection for beginners, seniors, family, groups or by yourself.
- Join Our Community - At Evergreen Wellness we connect wellness-minded adults to motivate, cheer, and enlighten each other around Fitness, Weight Management & Nutrition, and Mind & Spirit - See Insert Card in DVD Case for Bonus Content and to Learn More.
Two terms you will see
The official Abu Dhabi heritage register uses two Arabic terms for the participants and their clothing:
- Na’ashat refers to the young women who take part in the UAE form.
- Al-mekhwar refers to their traditional dresses.
Why it was performed for Trump
Abu Dhabi Culture says Al-Ayyala is performed at weddings, national holidays and other celebrations, and at welcome ceremonies for visiting heads of state. Gulf News reported in May 2025 that a traditional cultural performance welcomed Trump during his UAE visit, and its explainer on what the Al Ayyala dance means and why it was performed during Donald Trump’s visit to the UAE is the report tied to the visit. The most firmly supported explanation is simply that Al-Ayyala is part of formal welcoming ceremonies for official visitors. The sources do not establish a meaning specific to Trump’s visit, and no such meaning should be assumed.
Rank #2
- ZUMBA FITNESS DVD: It’s Zumba, y’all! This country dance workout DVD has two 30-minute sizzling cardio workout routines that help you burn calories as you dance to some of your favorite country artists, like the Chicks, Brooks & Dunn, and more.
- DANCING FOR EVERYONE: Square-dance your way onto the dance floor or in your living room with Zumba Country. The Crazy Country workout and the Burn It Up sessions have fun moves that are perfect for any exercise level to help you transform your body.
- DANCE WORKOUT: When in doubt, stomp it out as you slide across the dance floor and follow along with each 30-minute workout video. Each full-body workout will have you doing cardio, core, abs, and muscle work as you dance to real country music.
- BODY POSITIVE: We celebrate personal transformation, no matter how big or small. We strive to ensure everyone feels seen and supported and give people the tools to become their best selves. Take the first step to change it all with our dancing DVDs!
- ZUMBA: Zumba, our instructors, and our amazing community unite in one common mission: to move all people to unleash their power, embrace themselves and others, and achieve positive transformation.
Cultural meaning and recognition
UNESCO’s committee decision describes Al-Ayyala as a festive celebration of identity and history, and notes its use at religious and national festivals and at weddings. Abu Dhabi Culture presents it as a symbol of Emirati identity and union, linked to heritage and values associated with Bedouin life. These are the institutions’ own characterisations of the tradition, not measured findings about how audiences feel.
UNESCO inscribed Al-Ayyala on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014. Its record names both Oman and the UAE, so the tradition is best understood as shared across the two countries rather than exclusive to the UAE.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsRank #3
- Learn Line Dancing Fast Step-by-step instructions designed for absolute beginners — no experience required!
- Fun, Easy-to-Follow Moves Learn beginner-friendly routines to build confidence and teach the core moves used in many line dances.
- Great for Home Practice Perfect for solo dancers, couples, or groups who want to learn and practice at home.
- Trusted Instructors From the creators of And5678 Line Dance — helping thousands learn to dance step by step!
- Original Music Included All tracks are created by Gerard from And5678 Line Dance — fun, upbeat, and copyright-free!
What the sources establish, and what they do not
- Established: the performance’s components, its use at celebrations and official welcomes, the UAE hair-toss element, and the 2014 UNESCO inscription.
- Not established: a fixed schedule or venue for public performances, a single standard choreography, or a meaning specific to any individual visit.
- Practical step: to see Al-Ayyala in person, check listings with local cultural bodies during national holidays and official events, since the sources do not identify a regular public programme.
For a documentary viewer, the most useful way to watch is to note how the rows, drums and chant interact, and to distinguish the UNESCO-described meaning of the hair toss from the staging choices that vary between occasions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Burn up to 1,500 Calories a Day with Rockin’ Body
- Get Rockin’ Results with 5 HOT Workouts
- Easy-to-use tools for maximum results include:
- My Quickstart Guide and Never “Diet” Again Guide
- Your purchase today also includes 4 FREE Gifts
Rank #4
- ZUMBA FITNESS DVD: This dance DVD has three 20-minute full-body workouts on one convenient DVD. Zumba Charge, Zumba Power Up, and Zumba Bursts focus on cardio dance workouts to give you a better total-body workout with fun rhythms for fast results.
- CARDIO DANCE FITNESS: We all know that dancing is a great low-impact cardio workout, but with these routines your heart will be pumping. The short cardio burst intervals paired with traditional Zumba dance make this workout fun and effective.
- FULL-BODY EVERYDAY WORKOUTS: Some days it’s hard to find time to complete a full-exercise dance workout—there just aren't enough hours in the day. Each of these full-body workouts are only 20 minutes, making it easier to get a workout in each day!
- BODY POSITIVE: Take the first step to change it all with our dancing DVDs! We celebrate personal transformation, no matter how big or small. We strive to ensure everyone feels seen and supported and give people the tools to become their best selves.
- ZUMBA: Together, we, our instructors, and our amazing community unite in one common mission: To move all people to unleash their power, embracing themselves and others, so they can achieve positive transformation.
“
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
