Al-Razfa is a traditional performing art that is practiced throughout the United Arab Emirates, as well as the Sultanate of Oman. The folk dance represents the culture and tradition of Oman and combines poetic singing, instrumental accompaniment, and dances.
Similar to other Bedouin arts, Al-Razfa dance is not performed with accompanying percussion. Performers form into two lines of dancers facing each other and fill the space between them when performing this dance. It is performed by men of all ages and classes at social events such as weddings and festivals.
The two rows of singers form a dual chorus, singing chants in an antiphonal manner, accompanied by drums and other instruments. The chants are verses of Nabati poetry, carefully chosen to suit the occasion. Dancers are choreographed and hold wooden replica rifles in their hands, and in some cases, a girl swings her hair in time to the music.
Al-Razfa is traditional art, but it has spread in abundance and is accepted for its practice and performance by the older, youth, and even youth, and has a poetic sea in it that is short to suit the way of performance in Al-Razfa, the people who specialize in lending this type of poetry.
It has evolved from military celebrations of victory to festive entertainment in modern times. Folk dance is currently being transmitted in a variety of ways, such as incorporating modern instruments and melodies to preserving the tradition. The institutions that seek to preserve this tradition include some governmental organizations.
The practitioners are adapting music, and they are creating new melodies to interest a younger audience, as well as retaining the older expressions and oral traditions. These performances may include heads of state, elders, or even very young children.
In today's society, Al Razfa is transmitted through direct participation and observation at social events, where role assignments are learned by practice, while girls receive instruction from their mothers and older sisters.