What is Al-Ayyala? Trump video revives interest in traditional Emirati dance

During US President Donald Trump’s recent visit to the United Arab Emirates, a traditional Emirati dance performance featuring women in white robes swaying their long hair was staged as part of his official reception at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi.

The cultural showcase quickly circulated on social media, with many viewers expressing curiosity about the ceremony.

The performance is known as “Al-Ayyalah,” a traditional Gulf Arab art form and symbolic enactment of wartime unity, often performed at weddings, festivals, and national celebrations in the UAE and northern Oman.

Al-Ayyalah involves men performing synchronised movements with bamboo canes, while women dance in formation, tossing their hair in rhythm with the beat of traditional drums.

The dance has been recognised by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting its deep-rooted cultural significance.