Dabkeh is a popular group dance consisting of 11 dancers, women or men, at a time, and is performed to the tune of folk songs accompanied by traditional wind instruments, such as the Yagul, Shubbaba, Mijwiz, and also zajal singing.
Within the traditional social context, dancing, playing, and singing is all interconnected. Because the dancers are jumping and striking the ground with their feet, their physical movements are called Dabkeh. Dalona, Jafra, and Zarif Attoul are the most common types of traditional songs.
Songs are sung in Palestinian folk dialects unique to each community. A sense of belonging to their land is expressed through the lyrics of their songs, along with emotions such as courage, strength, and heroism. There are many traditional musical instruments used, such as the flûte, that are wound in different ways. Traditionally, they are handcrafted instruments made of reed trees growing along the Jordan River and near springs.
Since Dabkeh is practiced by a majority of Palestinians, this tradition is vibrant and alive. Families, villages, and communities concerned dance Dabkeh in their traditional and informal styles. Hence, a new generation inherits the practice. Children learn through imitation at weddings as they accompany their parents. Workshops, competitions, training courses, and festivals are organized by experienced practitioners. By exchanging experiences and know-how among practitioners and communities, this cultural element will be transferred. Furthermore, more formal training is available: Dabkeh is popular among younger generations and, zajal is taught by school and university bands. There are a number of Zajalers who have recorded their songs and made them available. In addition to recording and studying the tradition, NGOs like the Arts Centers, and the Palestinians have become freer to express their culture since 1994. Interest in cultural heritage and diversity has increased.
A number of NGOs have emerged that have focused on diversity and sustainability with the aim of strengthening ICH in general and Dabkeh in particular. There is an annual competition between Dabkeh teams in school sports classes, and the Ministry of Education funds these competitions. To promote Dabkeh's participation in regional and international celebrations, the Ministry of Culture supports Dabkeh's bands and musicians. In order to prepare the Dabkeh dancers and musicians for festivals and parties on social and national occasions, arts centers and Dabkeh bands organize successive training courses. Recently, social networking sites have been used as venues for sharing audio and video recordings of this component by art centers collaborating with local communities, government agencies, and researchers