Hafawah
Hafawah is positioned at the top of the highest values of the Saudis. The word, Hafawah, is a synonym to being generous, welcoming, and caring. It is an integral part of the Arabian culture, witnessed in the Saudi’s daily practices, poems, and stories they tell their visitors to celebrate them.
The historical background of Hafawah
Hafawah has been unique to Saudi and integral to local culture for millennia. Inherited by their ancestors, and as demanded for many reasons, Saudis have held a tight grip on it. To start, the complex harsh geographical formation of their land as well as the nomad lifestyle of constant move are the most influencing factors in installing values of collaboration amongst individuals of the community, extending helping hands to travellers and passers-by, and honouring guests even if they can’t afford it.
Hafawah: a reflection of Culture and Literature
Hundreds of Arab poets wrote excessively about Hafawah, being welcoming, and generosity throughout time. Many stories are told on being hospitable to guests to locals in events, schools, and in roadsides. The infamous stories of Hatem Al-Tai are still, to this day, told as the model of Arab’s generosity, one of which is his endearment of being generous to his guests and those in need that led him to sacrifice, his most prized possession, his stallion. That is the reason behind calling those who are generous and manifest Hafawah “More generous than Hatem Al-Tai”.
Authentic Social Traditions
Despite the rapid changes that have taken place in society, Hafawah remains deep-rooted to the live heritage seen in every aspect of the daily life; whether it is a friendly smile and taking joy in welcoming guests.
Saudi Hafawah is evidenced in many ways. You can notice it in they way the hot coffee cups are offered, which are associated with many social norms: Stand when pouring and handing and use the right hand to hand it out as a form of honouring the guest. Asides from the exemplary well-iterated welcoming of guests, some deliver poems in praise of the visitors. As a form of caring for guests, some hosts switch seats with guests to let them sit at the head of the table or the centre of the room, where he/she becomes the focus of attention and care. Usually, house doors are left opened in villages and small towns as a sign of the homeowners’ readiness to receive any visitor at any time.
Sword Dancing in Saudi
A Celebratory Dance
The History and Significance of Sword Dancing
The most common Ardah in Saudi, called the Najdi Ardah, was initially performed by Arab warriors in the central Najd region of Saudi before meeting their enemies on the battlefield. Sword dancing was a way for the men to display their weaponry and show their heroic spirit. The Najdi Ardah also recalls the battles led by King Abdulaziz Al Saud, the founder of Saudi Arabia.
Today, the folkloric dance is performed throughout the Saudi provinces and has become a symbol of traditional Saudi culture. In 2015, Ardah was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
What Happens During an Ardah
The sword dance features two lines of performers (usually, but not always, men) standing shoulder to shoulder and facing each other. The men wear traditional clothing that is specific to the Najd region of Saudi: long embroidered coats called daghla with upright collars and six buttons, which are layered over white cotton tunics called murowdin that have long triangular sleeves. The men wear leather ammunition belts diagonally across their chests and hold their swords in their right hands.
The Ardah begins with a single line of poetry that is repeated as a second group of men carrying drums steps between the men holding swords and moves in unison to the beat of their drums. The men carrying swords sway back and forth and side to side as they sing. Bending at the knee and leaning forward, they lift and lower their swords rhythmically. Another performer carries the national flag. The mood is celebratory and lively.
A sword dancing performance can continue for several hours, with short intermissions, with as many as 50 lines of poetry being sung. If a dancer gets tired, he can periodically rest his sword on his shoulder and continue stepping with the group. Sword dancing is a popular attraction at the annual National Festival for Heritage and Culture.
Where to See a Sword Dancing Performance in Saudi
One of the best places to see Ardah performed is at one of many cultural festivals, which are held in different regions throughout the year. One of the biggest festivals is the National Festival for Heritage and Culture in Al Janadriyah, which is held for two weeks in late winter or early spring outside Riyadh.