Al Azi is a form of poetry recital that is performed by a group of people without the accompaniment of rhythmical or musical instruments. It is full rhyme based on traditional poetry and often has lines of poetry interspersed with sayings and proverbs. The poet, the performer, the chorus, and the audience are all involved. The art form has its origins in a celebration of victory on the battlefield. It was used as a way to promote honor, pride & fortitude. An important characteristic of this form of performance is the powerful voices of the poet and the chorus, which 'answers' him. They hold mock rifles while standing in rows behind the poet, who holds a sword. The call-and-response performance conveys a sense of unity and solidarity, while the symbolic weapons represent courage. The Al Azi acts strengthen communal bonds and serve as ways of passing down traditions, knowledge, and a sense of Bedouin relationship with nature. The main theme of Al Azi poetry, which is inspired by both classic Arabic poetry and colloquial Nabati poetry, is pride in one's kin, tribe, or ruler. In Al Azi verse, the poet talks about generosity, courage, and other qualities which exemplify the greatness of the subject of the poem.
In the UAE, Al Azi is considered a significant cultural heritage performance displaying Emirati culture as a whole. It used to be performed regularly by communities until the mid-1900s when performances began to dwindle. Development, as thousands of people migrated from the desert to urban areas, and the economic boom from 1970 to 1990 led to a decline in traditional sectors and activities associated with them. One of the reasons Al Azi has been on the verge of extinction has been the enactment of State laws instead of traditional tribal customs. The number of poets has significantly decreased over the past twenty years. Despite this, Al Azi has endured thanks to the efforts of some creative people and traditional art troupes. With support from the Emirati government and its growing interest in preserving national heritage, Al Azi has since been revitalized. A few years ago, Al Azi was brought back to national events for the first time, with the introduction of a highly successful production, which made media coverage of Al Azi. This helped revive the popularity of Al Azi and encouraged poets to compose Al Azi poems for special events. Today, Al Azi is performed at weddings, national celebrations, and religious holidays, as well as at other special events. The performance is an expression of pride that celebrates Arab values of unity, solidarity, and courage.
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