May 16, 2025 09:37 AM IST
Women in white robes greeted Donald Trump at the UAE’s presidential palace with the traditional Al-Ayyala hair-flipping ritual.
There is considerable interest on social media regarding a traditional dance performed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to welcome US President Donald Trump. Viral videos capture women flipping their hair from side to side while reciting poetry, a movement recognized as Al-Ayyala.
What do the viral videos depict?
In one video, Donald Trump is seen walking between two lines of women at Qasr Al Watan, the UAE’s presidential palace. Clad in flowing white gowns with long dark hair, the women engage in synchronized hair flipping in time with drumbeats played by men behind them as the president walks past.
Understanding Al-Ayyala
As stated in a UNESCO report, Al-Ayyala is a popular dance in northwestern Oman and across the UAE. This traditional performance features chanting of poetry alongside drumming, with participants dancing.
Men perform in two rows, facing each other, wielding swords or bamboo sticks to simulate a battle. Their movements align with the rhythm of the music.
In contrast, women partake in the dance by donning traditional attire and standing in the forefront, flipping their hair to the music’s beat.
When is Al-Ayyala performed?
This dance is typically showcased at weddings and during festive celebrations in both the Sultanate of Oman and the UAE. The report highlights that “Al-Ayyala encompasses all ages, genders, and social backgrounds.”
Trump’s visit is part of his concluding segment of a three-nation tour of the Gulf region, having started in Saudi Arabia, proceeded to Qatar, and finally landing in the UAE, where he committed to enhancing relations between the two nations.
The US president announced agreements totaling $200 billion with the UAE, alongside a plan to bolster cooperation in artificial intelligence.